NewsNK Spring 2013

newsnk

Driving forward on economic growth in LN6 See pages 8 & 9

The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents

Spring 2013

£46m invested in new council housing

Bins will not be emptied if they Massive expansion of social housing stock to meet growing need for affordable homes are contaminated More than £46m will be spent by North Kesteven District Council in the next 10 years to build more than 300 new homes to meet demand for quality affordable housing locally.

From April, £20m of this will be invested over just four years to deliver at least 105 flats, bungalows and houses to meet all needs.

It comes on top of almost £8m invested over the past four years which has delivered 51 new homes at 13 sites in nine locations across the District – spearheading the Council’s pioneering emphasis on increasing the supply of social housing.

This new £46m programme has been made possible by the Council entering into a self-finance regime for council housing. This means that it no longer has to make payments to Government in respect of historic housing costs, but can invest more comprehensively in its own stock.

Housing finance sits apart from the Council Tax-supported General Fund.

The first three phases of building were jointly funded by the Council and Government’s Homes & Communities Agency to the tune of £6.2m, with the £1.5m cost of the latest houses at Billinghay and Rowston financed entirely by the Council.

Council Leader Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE, said: “Continued expansion of readily-available, affordable, high-quality homes has become one of the main priorities of North Kesteven District Council as we seek to strengthen our communities, The District Council’s part of the total Council Tax Bill remains one of the lowest in the country, at between £93 & £108 a year for most homes.

three at Princess Margaret Avenue, Metheringham are key aims for 2014/15 along with an additional 30 properties across central Sleaford.

Most of the funding has been made available through the Council entering into the self-finance regime for council housing. The Council has borrowed £58m to move away from an obligation to pay the Government around £4m a year as a contribution towards the historic national debt on council house building, which gives NKDC more scope to invest more in its own stock expansion.

All schemes will be consulted on and subject to planning approval.

Most householders are taking great care to ensure the right things are thrown in the right bin, but contamination remains a big problem in recycling bins.

And this comes at a cost to Council Tax payers because when recycled material is contaminated the Council does not get paid as much as it should.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton said excessive contamination had so far cost the Council more than £100,000 in lost income from the firm handling it.

“Balanced against the need for us to raise Council Tax, this stark reality might inspire people to be more careful in the way they recycle,” she said.

“No longer can we afford to be complacent about what goes in which bin as mistakes are costing us all.”

Main sources of contamination are food waste, nappies, bedding, polystyrene, wood and building waste – none of which should go into the green-lidded bins.

Main problem areas are parts of Sleaford, particularly around Boston Road and Lincoln Road, and around Newark Road and Meadow Lane in North Hykeham, while Branston, Washingborough, Heighington and villages on the Brant Broughton round are consistently getting it right.

While the situation is improving and fewer bins are being rejected for contamination, householders face not having their bins collected if they persistently get it wrong.

Clear instruction on goes into each bin has been sent to all homes on the new bin tags but if in doubt, leave it out.

Pioneering support for anti-social behaviour victims is picked up by Police & Crime Commissioner and copied across the county.

Permission is given for a £40m restoration of St John’s Hospital at Bracebridge Heath to create 180 new quality homes.

North Kesteven is building on its pioneering programme of house building, pictured here at Wellingore, which lead the way in a new era of council house stock expansion stimulate the local economy and support our residents.”

“We are really very proud to bring forward these long-term aims to provide more than 300 new council homes, funded entirely through the Council’s resources and careful financial management. These will be highly energy efficient, offered at affordable rent to support all levels of need and in areas of high demand.

They also include provision of smaller properties which suits modern household requirements.”

The programme will see new housing built right across the District in Sleaford, Ruskington and North More people take part in weekly sport and exercise in North Kesteven than elsewhere in Lincolnshire, latest figures show.

Our Communities – page 6

Hykeham plus a number of smaller, rural communities.

Subject to planning approval it is anticipated that during the coming year work will begin on six homes to replace garages at Hutson Drive North Hykeham and significant progress will be made on 23 new council homes on Mareham Lane, Sleaford.

Another priority for 2013/14 is Northfield Road in Ruskington where 11 homes plus a communal room will replace a former sheltered complex previously at the site.

The delivery of six properties at School Lane, Helpringham and £1m Lottery fund puts the wind into the sails of Heckington Mill’s restoration project to become a world-class attraction.

Our Economy – page 11

 01529 414155 / 01522 699699  info@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Our Homes – page 12

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

inside Election awareness Making sure you’re registered to vote in the elections on May 2 4 Increasingly physical NK is the county’s hotspot for people taking part in weekly exercise 5

newsnk is your newspaper The newspaper is edited by the Communications Team at North Kesteven District Council.

Each issue costs 6.3 pence to produce and print and 9.75 pence to deliver direct to your door.

Editorial Phone: 01529 308116 Email: communications@n-kesteven.gov.uk Address: North Kesteven District Council District Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF Council Enquiries Phone: 01529 414155 or 01522 699699 if calling from a Lincoln number Minicom: 01529 308088 Emergency: 01529 308308 or 01522 699650 Website: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Email: customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/northkestevendc Twitter: @northkestevendc INFO-LINKS North Hykeham North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9AX INFO-LINKS Metheringham 15a High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln, LN4 3DZ Billinghay Cottage & Parish Office The Old Vicarage Cottage, Church Street, Billinghay, Lincoln, LN4 4HN Branston Connect Branston Community Library, Station Road, Branston, LN4 1LH Heckington Parish Office St Andrew’s Street, Heckington, NG34 9RE Navenby Village Office The Venue, Grantham Road, Navenby, LN5 0JJ Osbournby Village Hall London Road, Osbournby, Sleaford, NG34 0DG Skellingthorpe Village Office Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe Community Centre, Lincoln, LN6 5UT The Witham Office 16 Torgate Lane, Bassingham, Lincoln, LN5 9HF Waddington Parish Council High Street, Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9RF Washingborough Civic Office Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln, LN4 1AB

This document is available in large print, Braille, audio, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language.

Printed on Recycled Paper

2 newsnk Spring 2013

Business boost Companies in the LN6 postal area are joining forces to ease congestion and other blockages to economic success 8

Community cash Funding schemes for community, building and wildlife projects 6

Princess drops in on District Princess Anne takes home an unusual souvenir from her District business visit 9

Dam Buster dates Aviation activities 7

Spring into action Comprehensive guide to

48

North Kesteven remains in nation’s top 100 Boundary review for places to live based on quality of life locally parliament is put-off North Kesteven remains one of the best places to live in Britain according to research.

With other areas improving their position in the Halifax bank’s quality of life survey, North Kesteven is now placed 83rd out of 405 local authorities.

This assessment is based on the District’s low incidence of burglary, ease of traffic movement, good employment rate, small primary school class size, low population density, high academic achievements at GCSE, broadband speed, good housing quality, cost and size and even factors including sunshine hours, rainfall and life expectancy.

Last year North Kesteven rated 36 for quality of life, the only Lincolnshire district featured in the top 50. This year apart from NK, South Kesteven is also in the top 100, at number 46.

Factors adding up to give NK an 83rd place ranking are: Factor Gross weekly earnings Employment rate Average number of rooms in a house Houses with central heating House price to earnings ratio Households with more than 2Mbps broadband speed Traffic flows per square km Burglary rate per 10,000 population Empty homes CO2 emissions per tonne per person Population density per square km Average annual rainfall Sunshine hours per week People in good or fairly good healthy Male life expectancy at birth

NK £542 73% 6.1 98.7% 5.8 78.8%

Hart (1st place) £830 78.6% 6.3 98.9% 6.7 94.2%

903 16.3 1.4% 2.2 118 628mm 31.1 92.3 72.9 years

6,211 16.6 0.9% 2.5 426 746mm 32.9 95.3 81.7 years

Primary school class size Pupils with 5+ A-C GCSE grades

26.7 85.5%

27.3 78.3

UK average £609 70.2% 5.4 82% 37 2.4 251 882mm 29.7 91 79.1 years 26

The Government has postponed the review on the Parliamentary Constituency boundary changes until 2018.

This means that the changes proposed under last year’s review – and into which many District residents made observations will not now be implemented.

For the Sleaford & North Hykeham Constituency, this means that the District wards of Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East and Skellingthorpe will continue to remain within the Lincoln Parliamentary Constituency.

The Commission has thanked all those who have responded to the consultations during the Review, which included a significant number of people in North Kesteven.

More information about the early closure of the review at www.independent.gov.uk/ boundarycommissionforengland

Quiz call for charity

The many attractive qualities to life in NK have drawn more people to the District.

North Kesteven has seen the second biggest population increase of white British citizens in the decade between the last Censuses – a 13% rise, second only to South Derbyshire’s 13.7%.

These figures were revealed alongside statistics that show a marked decrease in the white British population within London boroughs, but a marked increase generally in eastern England.

West Lindsey’s increase is fifth largest at 10.7%.

In his commentary on the facts, BBC Home Affairs Editor Mark Easton said the evidence suggests the migration is motivated by working class aspiration and economic success

Brainboxes of the District unite, there is a quiz being arranged to pit your wits and raise funds for good causes.

The annual Brains of Kesteven quiz challenge will be held on Thursday, April 18, in support of North Kesteven District Council Chairman Councillor Ray Cucksey’s charities, LIVES and the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Teams of up to six are welcome, at £6.50 per head including supper. Bar available. Held in the Sleaford council offices from 7.30pm.

For quiz entry, contact Pauline Collett on 01529 414155 or drop into the Info Links in Metheringham and North Hykeham or the Sleaford reception. Details of these can be seen in the panel on the left.

Resident satisfaction ratings remain high

Bishop’s rough night

Though small in numbers, the satisfaction rating given by District residents in this year’s budget consultation was clear.

Every year the Council goes to some lengths to engage residents in the budget setting process and invites a response on the preferred option for setting Council Tax. This year, bad weather conspired against the three events’ success and only 65 people attended which made their feedback interesting, but statistically insignificant. > 79% were satisfied with the way the Council runs things, while 14% had no strong view either way. > 71% rated the quality of the Council’s services; 28% had no strong view. > 69% felt the Council performed well with the

The Bishop of Lincoln slept rough in the District to raise funds for homeless charities.

The Rt Rev Christopher Lowson spent a night in farmer Peter Mottram’s stable at Harmston four days before Christmas, with just a sleeping bag and straw for comfort.

Within a month he had met two-thirds of his £5,000 fundraising target in support of the Nomad Trust and Christian Aid’s Favela project in Brazil. His goal was also to highlight the harsh realities of the Nativity story and nightly ritual of thousands of people with no bed to sleep in.

Many other Diocesan clergy took up the challenge to sleep in stables on the same night.

money available; 25% had no strong view. > 67% agreed it had the right priorities going forward; 22% had no strong view.

In all cases the 28 attendees in North Hykeham gave the most positive responses, with each question having a confidence rating of 80% or higher. The other events were in Sleaford and Leadenham.

The Council always welcomes resident input into all of its policy making decisions and has a Viewpoint Panel.

This panel is a prime focus for the Council’s active consultation to ensure it is meeting residents’ expectations and responding to their needs.

If you want to get involved call 01529 308237 or email research@n-kesteven.gov.uk

News Focus

Council Tax rises by a few pence First increase in three years keeps NKDC charge among lowest The Council Tax charged by NKDC for delivery of local services will increase by less than ten pence per week for most people from April.

This is the first increase on the District Council element of the bill in three years.

Because NKDC maintains one of the lowest local charges of all councils in the country, the Government has allowed it to increase its charge by up to £5 at Band D. The Council took this opportunity to build up its resilience to future funding cuts and limit the extent of service cuts in the years ahead.

It was also the preferred option of respondents to the Council’s resident consultation, with 48% preferring it over a further freeze (29%) or a possible 2% rise (23%).

It means that at Band D: > The NKDC element of the overall charge increases by £4.95 a year or 9.5p a week, to £140.04 - which is 3.66% up on the £135.09 that has been constant since 2010. > Lincolnshire County Council’s charge makes up three-quarters of the total bill. It has frozen its demand at £1,065.69.

> The Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel increased its portion of the bill by 1.98% to £190.08, an annual increase of £3.69. > Many of North Kesteven’s parish and town councils have opted to increase their levy this year too, to an average of £64.63; a 4.33% increase costing £2.68 on average. > This gives a total bill at Band D of £1,460.44, an overall increase of 0.78% on last year - £11.32 extra or 94p per month. > These figures are all quoted at Band D, but in North Kesteven 77% of homes are banded below this which means that houses in Bands A to C will pay £973.62, £1,135.89 or £1,298.16 in total.

For the NKDC element of the bill this means an annual increase of between £3.30 and £4.40 - 6.3p to 8.5p per week for most people.

For the past two years NKDC has frozen its charge at the 2010 level. To have done this again in exchange for a £52,000 grant would have merely delayed an inevitable ‘cliff edge’ in the Council’s finances said Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE.

“By taking this window of opportunity to make a modest increase in our element of the Council Tax charge we will be able to build an extra £167,000 into the budget going forward, building up our future resilience and strengthening our position to invest in the communities, economy and homes of North Kesteven,” she said.

“In the three years since Council Tax last went up, we’ve been able to ensure that residents have not lost essential services despite having to find savings of almost £3m in that time.

“We remain ever-mindful of our residents’ situation but given their expressed satisfaction with the services we offer and the charges we make, it is clear that they appreciate our efforts to maintaining and developing services, which requires this modest increase for the first time since 2010.”

This maintains the NKDC charge for a band D property at a very modest £140.04 for the year, reduced to £93.36 and £108.92 for the smaller band A and B homes most people occupy.

What you get for the £2.70 or less you pay to NK in tax each week Although it is the District Council which collects all of the Council Tax, it keeps less than ten pence in every pound for delivery of services locally.

Most - 74 pence in the pound - goes to the county council; 12 pence goes to the police and a variable amount averaging 4.5 pence goes to parish councils.

For the £2.70 or less most people pay to NKDC weekly, you get:. > Weekly refuse & recycling collection > Organisation of elections > Street cleaning > A range of services preventing and > Planning control and enforcement resolving homelessness and housing > Public health, restaurant, pub and standards take-away food hygiene inspections > Rate relief > CCTV in Sleaford & North Hykeham > Benefits administration > Action on community safety > Visitor attractions and countryside > Economic promotion & regeneration protection > Grants for repairs, insulation and > Licensing of entertainment, taxis and energy efficiency alcohol provision > Leisure and sports outreach > And much, much more.

“

This is our first Council Tax increase since 2010.

Since then Local Government finance has changed enormously and the contribution we get from Whitehall has reduced significantly, forcing us to find savings of around £3m. Knowing that we face a further funding gap of £800,000 next year and £1.5 the year after, the responsible approach is to build up our resilience to these cuts.

Freezing Council Tax for a third year was not a viable option.

While Government would have given an extra £52,000, that would have been for one year only and created a cliff edge of £310,000 when all three freeze grants end next year.

By accepting the Government offer to us as one of the lowest charging authorities, the 3.7% builds £167,000 back into our budget for not only the coming year but every year going forward, which will ease the future impact for all residents.”

Geoff Hazelwood, Executive Member for Finance

Community fund launches out of the blocks with a great stride forward

Snow of support

A new community fund to support projects in Sleaford and Kirkby la Thorpe has made great strides through its first award.

There is a total of £120,000 to split equally between Sleaford town and Kirkby la Thorpe parish, over the next three years.

It has been made available by owners of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, Eco2 Lincs, and is overseen and delivered by a new Community Liaison Panel, representing Eco2 Lincs, NKDC, Sleaford and Kirkby la Thorpe councils.

The very first award was made to the Sleaford Striders to pay for finishers’ T-shirts at their half-marathon staged at the end of February.

Panel chairman Cllr Richard Wright, said: “I am delighted the Panel chose to launch the fund by supporting this event which attracts competitors and visitors from nearby and across the country. Through this, they will see how we are at the forefront of sustainable initiatives in North Kesteven.

“I invite groups and organisations from Sleaford and Kirkby la Thorpe to come forward to apply for grants from the Community Fund.

“Through this fund, the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant is broadening its benefit beyond its £150m green investment to the provision of significant benefit to local amenities and communities,” said Cllr Wright.

Further detail on page 6 and at www.sleafordrep.co.uk

Snowed off from collecting refuse, NK binmen dug in to help villagers in adverse weather.

Unable to get out on their rounds for a day during the January snow, the 40-odd men turned their hand to serving residents in a different way, spending three hours in Metheringham with shovels, brushes and salt at the Fire Station, High Street paths and sheltered housing.

Their efforts were much appreciated.

Sleaford Striders Matt Lennard, Lisa Ashcroft, Kathy Radley and Sarah Oliver, with Community Liaison Panel Chairman Cllr Richard Wright & Cllr David Dickinson who helped present the T-shirts to the 500 competitors, 140 of whom were aged 16 or under

Introduction of new garden waste charge is a necessary move to ensure continued service Residents now have the choice of opting in or out of a service to have their garden waste collected by the District Council.

For the past eight years garden waste collection has been offered as a complimentary service, covered by the budget into which everyone pays.

Now only those who want to have their garden waste collected fortnightly will be asked to pay, at a rate of £25 for a full year starting from April 1.

By adopting this measure the Council has found a way of reducing the £770,000 cost of the current

service at a time of needing to make significant savings of up to £2.6m over the next four years.

It means that only those who choose to use the service pay for it, as opposed to the alternative which would have seen the cost continue to be loaded onto everyone as part of the Council-Tax funded budget.

That would have cost around £20 to every household regardless of whether they used it or not – equivalent to a 15% increase in the District’s Council Tax charge just to finance this one service.

Council Leader, Cllr Marion Brighton OBE, said the contribution was a necessary move for continuing provision the collection service rather than scrapping it altogether or spreading the cost to all residents.

“We are very proud to have offered this service with no direct charge for so long, but times have changed and the diminishing grant funding received from Central Government means we have a duty to reassess our priorities and look where savings could be made,” she said.

“It must be stressed that this

is a service charge, not a tax. It represents very good value for money and achieves an improved service, with more collections carried out through the winter months than at present,” said Cllr Mrs Brighton.

“By making these savings we will also be in a better position to finance an essential extension to refuse collection rounds to reflect a population increase.”

Anyone choosing not to continue with the garden waste service will be able to retain their bin for other uses or for opting back in later.

Provision of new bins to a property costs £10 on top of the £25 annual collection charge.

Households can have up to four bins, charged at cost, with collection of each additional bin costing £10 per year, on top of the initial £25.

Those properties opting in and paying the service charge will be identified via in-cab technology on the refuse trucks. There will also be labels placed on bins where people have made the payment.

For more information and ways to sign up, see the back page.

Spring 2013 newsnk 3

News Focus

Resident parking scheme proposal Consultation is to be carried out to test the appetite for residents’ parking schemes in the District.

NKDC is to seek responses to a draft policy setting out the rules under which such schemes would operate.

The main emphasis will be in Sleaford where residents have previously called on the Council to introduce schemes to overcome problems of parking by people who don’t live, work or visit in the immediate area.

Talks will also be opened with residents and businesses in the town, with the town council, local Councillors, the county council and other interested parties regarding proposals to introduce residents’ parking schemes in Sleaford.

If other areas in the District want to be considered for parking schemes, they need to start the process too.

Until now the Sleaford requests have not been progressed because they were not feasible under the previous arrangements for the enforcement of on-street parking.

In broad terms, a scheme would cover certain streets and only people with permits to park there would be eligible. Everyone else would need to park elsewhere or risk being fined. They would only be set up if a majority of affected residents support it and are prepared to pay for it.

Fees and permit arrangements would be determined by the demand and operational requirements, but the general principle is that schemes would need to be self financing.

Space would be set aside for time-limited waiting.

Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Member with responsibility for the streetscene, said: “We know that some residents in certain parts of Sleaford are very keen to see the introduction of parking schemes to overcome problems of all-day parking by others attempting to avoid charging and regulation elsewhere.

“This not only causes inconvenience, but also difficult for emergency and service vehicles like refuse lorries and can affect the economic viability of neighbourhood shops.

“We’re hoping that through this consultation, those who want to have schemes considered in their area will learn more about the process and feel able to move forward with a majority decision, whichever way that may fall.”

You can rely on a little bird to keep you informed Follow us on Twitter @northkestevendc

4 newsnk Spring 2013

Supporting people with benefits changes With changes to benefit payments and eligibility taking effect on April 1, the Council has been helping residents through the transition Thousands of residents will see the amount they receive in housing and Council Tax benefits affected by a Government drive to reduce the complexity and cost of benefits and make work pay for recipients.

A series of changes take effect on April 1, in advance of which the Council has worked tirelessly to ensure claimants are well aware of how it affects them and what they can do about it.

In the main there are two changes: > to levels of housing benefit > to the scale of support given to help people on low incomes pay their Council Tax Bill.

The Council has written to everyone who may be affected, detailing the implications.

In both cases the changes only apply to working age claimants, not to pensioners.

There are around 7,300 people in receipt of the current Council Tax Benefit, around 3,000 of whom will

see their support reduced under the new Council Tax Support.

Locally NKDC has devised its own scheme, which protects the disabled, war pensioners, carers and pensionage claimants and makes more money available in a hardship fund.

The changes affect people differently and in each individual case the level of support they receive towards paying their Council Tax will appear on the bills issued in March.

In order to reduce the direct impact of this shift on claimants, owners of empty homes and second homes are now required to pay more Council Tax than before, detailed on page 11.

The so-called Bedroom Tax, where benefits are reduced by 14% or 25% - £10 to £25 - depending on the number of excess bedrooms in a house over and above what is needed, affect almost 800 people in North Kesteven across all social housing sectors.

In these cases the Council has

worked closely with the tenants to discuss how they can meet the extra charge, which can include moving to a smaller house, taking in a lodger, finding work and paying the difference.

A cap on the maximum total welfare a household can receive will take effect locally later in the year and universal credit to bring together the various means-tested benefits into one monthly payment is being introduced progressively through to October 2017.

A review of the Council Tax Support scheme will take place in September to allow for further public consultation input and amendments for future financial years.

If you think these changes affect you, you can find out more by contacting the Council or estimate payments using the calculator at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/ctsupdate The Council also offers a money advice service to all residents.

Keep on top of payments online Save yourself time, money and hassle by keeping on top of your Council Tax and Benefits payments in your own time.

A new part of the Council’s website called MyInfo allows you to keep track of payment dates and amounts to your benefits account, check the balance of your Council Tax account and change your details like name, address and circumstances – all for free.

For tenants, in time it will include your rent account too.

You will no longer need to be held back by office hours, by hanging on the phone waiting to speak to someone or restricted by when and where you can talk to someone.

You can access the secure intranet site now, using the individual details registered for you and printed on your Council Tax Bill and Benefits statement. You can log-on 24/7 from the comfort of your sofa – saving time, money and hassle. www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/myinfo Email, phone and face to face contact remain as contact options.

St John’s Hospital to be revived through restoration for 180-plus homes Unanimous backing has been given by the Council’s Planning Committee to a £40m plan to restore and convert the former St John’s Hospital at Bracebridge Heath into housing.

Owners Mabec Property pledged to start on site before the end of March, focusing initially on restoration, repair and re-use of the historic building.

The scheme will see the former

hospital buildings converted and extended into 64 houses and 43 flats with a further 79 new houses and garages built in the grounds.

Built in 1850, it remains a rare surviving example of asylum architecture which conservation bodies including English Heritage agreed would be better protected through an economically viable scheme such as this rather than left

to fall into further decline.

The committee heard that the building’s integrity would remain largely intact with only a few extra openings needed for windows and doors.

While designs for the new-build homes will be subject to a later decision, indications are that they will be individually designed and laid out to reflect and complement the main complex.

The landmark water tower will be

removed, the Music Hall turned into apartments and former exercise courts turned into private gardens but other areas landscaped for public use.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Member with responsibility for planning, said this approved scheme was more commendable than previous permissions for the site because of its emphasis on quality and sympathetic restoration.

Call to action ahead of spring County Council elections Sports funding Voting will take place on Thursday May 2 to elect members of Lincolnshire County Council.

These elections are held every four years in 77 Divisions, 11 of which are within North Kesteven - Bassingham Rural, Billinghay & Metheringham, Bracebridge Heath & Waddington, Branston & Navenby, Heighington & Washingborough, Hykeham Forum, Ruskington & Cranwell, Skellingthorpe & Hykeham South, Sleaford, Sleaford Rural South,

Sleaford West & Leasingham.

As a registered voter these elections invite you to have your say on who represents you at the County Council on matters such as education, roads, health and social care and library services.

If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline for applications to be added to the register of electors for this election is Wednesday, April 17 April.

If you are away on May 2, you

will still be able to vote as an Absent Voter. Deadline to request a postal vote, change or cancel an existing postal vote or proxy is also April 17.

For details on registration and applying for postal and proxy votes call the NKDC elections team on 01529 308238 or look online at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/your-council/ If you are interested in standing as a candidate, contact the District Council or Lincolnshire County Council for further information.

Members of the Armed Forces based in North Kesteven should make sure their voices are heard at this year’s local elections and all future ballots.

Often service personnel miss out on elections because of operational duties, but NKDC wants to stress the options open to them that may alleviate this.

There are three ways for anyone to cast a vote: > In person at a polling station > By post, having registered to have a postal vote > By proxy, where the voter asks someone they trust to cast their vote for them.

Registering is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.

Those who expect to be deployed overseas can still vote in the elections if they are registered, so it makes sense to do this now to ensure that your vote is always valid.

For a registration form, call 01529 308238 or print one off from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/armedforces

A funding source to support sports clubs, community groups and organisations targeting young people operates all year round.

With deadlines throughout the year to access the Sportivate programme, sports operators in the District are advised to contact the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership for details.

Since July 2011, Sportivate has helped more than 220 clubs and organisations in offering sports sessions for children and young people across the county, to a value of £40 per participant over six to eight weeks of sessions.

The aim is to encourage semisporty teenagers and young adults, aged 14-25, to take part in sport, especially those supporting post 16s with disability or who aren’t in work, education or training.

Details available online at www.lincolnshiresports.com/sportivate call Lucy Blakey on 01522 585 580 or lucy.blakey@lincolnshiresports.co.uk

News Focus

Considerate constructors praised for care with centre

Council’s £2.85m refurbishment of Sleaford’s Leisure Centre reaches half-way point

Artist’s impression of how the new-look centre would appear on the Riverside At the halfway point in the £2.85m refurbishment of Sleaford Leisure Centre, the contractors carrying out the work have shown their excellence at carrying out the work in a considerate way.

Auditors of the Considerate Constructors Scheme found the refurbishment project to have been exceptionally well organised by RG Carters Ltd when they made the first of two visits.

The contractors displayed very high standards in all of the categories as audited, which included enhancing

the site appearance, respecting the community, protecting the environment, securing everyone’s safety and caring for the workforce.

The visit found that RG Carters Ltd had adopted a very proactive attitude to working with NKDC and the appearance of the site. Its systems and procedures for safety management were also highly noted within the overall score of 42 out of 50.

The Considerate Contractors Scheme aims to improve the image of construction, with independent monitors drawn from senior levels

Pool project opens apprentice opportunities Refurbishment of the leisure centre has also opened doors for two lucky apprentices hired to work on the project.

This offers three years of training, qualifications in construction and key

skills and chance to embark on a career for life in the industry.

The apprenticeships have been made possible through funding from contractors RG Carters Building Ltd, NKDC and Eco2 Lincs Ltd, owners of

of the various disciplines within the industry trained to monitor sites against the Scheme’s Site Code of Considerate Practice to encourage best practice beyond standard industry requirements and put right any failings.

One of the few areas highlighted for improvements is the creation of a lasting legacy for the local community, which is already in hand with plans to include a time capsule and arts project.

Site Manager Jason Wilson said: “We are extremely pleased with the first scoring of the site. We have worked extremely hard as a team and

with the District Council to get things right on the site, for the benefit of not only the workforce but the community as well.”

Cllr Susan Waring, who has Executive Board oversight for leisure, said: “This project means a great deal to the District, and to see that the construction team think as much it as we do is fantastic.

“The team are still on schedule for a September completion, and have worked extremely well with our officers to deliver high standards and top quality finish throughout.”

the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant which will supply surplus heat from the power station to the centre.

A large chunk of the cash is put up by Eco2 Lincs Ltd as part of its £285,000 voluntary community wellbeing contributions as it establishes the biomass renewable

energy plant in Sleaford. It had intended to fund apprenticeships during the plant’s construction but this has not been possible and through negotiation with the Council this commitment has transferred to the leisure centre project to ensure the training opportunities were not lost.

More people are taking exercise in North Kesteven

Car charge freeze

More people in North Kesteven take part in weekly exercise than any other part of Lincolnshire.

And over the past year the rate of increase in the uptake of sport has also been greater in NK than the other six county district areas.

Across Lincolnshire 10,000 more people are participating in sport or exercise than they were a year ago, according to the Active People Survey which means that 33.7% of adults aged 16 and over are now taking part in at least one 30 minute session per week. This is up by 1.7% increase from last year’s survey.

In North Kesteven the annual increase was 4.1% which takes the

There will be no increases in car parking charges across the District for a further year.

In Sleaford the most cost-effective parking remains at Eastbanks where 60 pence buys three hours parking and a full day costs £2.

Elsewhere in Sleaford the NKDC carparks are £1 for one hour, £2 for two hours and £3 generally buys three hours – or a full day at Westgate.

There is free parking for up to two hours at Cogglesford Mill and also at Station Road where all day parking costs £5.

During the year, the Council will looking at the parking strategy overall.

proportion of adults taking part in weekly exercise to 39.1% - around 35,000 people.

The number of people doing 30 minutes of sport and exercise three times or more a week has dropped marginally from 25.6% to 25% of the 86,700 adults in the District (21,675 people). The county average for being active three times a week is 21.8%.

Cllr Susan Waring, Executive Member for leisure said it was very encouraging that at a time of continued investment by the Council in sports facilities and promotion of leisure options, local interest and participation was at an all time high.

“This data was collected in the

year up to last October, and I can only imagine that as the legacy of the Olympics continues to build, the newlook Sleaford Leisure Centre comes back into use and outcomes from youth sports initiatives such as Friday Night Football and village football coaching bear fruit, the increase will be sustained,” said Cllr Waring Nationally, a total of 15.5 million people aged 16 and over are now playing sport at least once a week – a rise of 750,000 across the year, over two thirds of whom are women.

Cycling and athletics are among the fastest growing sports. Judo, hockey and swimming are also enjoying an upsurge in popularity.

Victim empowerment project adopted to go countywide Big Lunch date A project piloted locally to help victims of anti-social behaviour back onto their feet has been adopted for rollout countywide.

In recognition of a scarcity of services for supporting ASB victims through the aftermath of incidents and problems, NKDC’s Community Safety Partnership worked with ASRA Housing to set something up.

Using funding secured through

PartnershipNK a year’s pilot was established as a pioneering service.

After it caught the eye of the new Police & Crime Commissioner he joined up with the county council to take forward the NK model and commission a countywide support service for victims of ASB. Cllr Mike Gallagher, Chairman of the NK Community Safety Partnership, said:” We are extremely

pleased with this outcome, and how it recognises the work piloted at NK with our partners.

“As one of the many aspects of our ASB work, we recognise the importance in supporting victims back on their feet through confidence building, counselling, psychological support and practical help, and it’s reassuring to this that this is appreciated more widely,” he said.

Communities are urged to unite over a picnic or street-party lunch.

The national Big Lunch takes place on June 2, for neighbours to have lunch together in the quest for stronger friendlier communities.

This date is also the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, a perfect excuse to revive the Jubilee spirit.

For more details call 0845 850 8181 or visit www.thebiglunch.com

More support for advice agency North Kesteven District Council is continuing to support the sterling work given to residents by the local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

For a further year it is making a contribution of £38,700 each to the running costs of the advice agencies in both Sleaford and Lincoln, which serve District residents.

This is an increase of £6,000 each on what the Council paid in previous years to reflect additional workload as each office copes with more people seeking support on welfare, benefits, debt, housing and other issues.

The Council’s Executive Board heard that both branches anticipate an increasingly busy period as various aspects of the Government’s welfare reform agenda are implemented.

In the six months to last October, the Sleaford bureau saw 1,380 people, 78% of whom were from North Kesteven. Almost half related to welfare benefits problems and debt issues made up a quarter, with the bureau helping clients to claim an extra £547,000 a year in extra benefits and achieve £350,000 in further financial gains such as debt write-off.

At the Lincoln branch, 18% of the 3,082 clients seen in six months from April 1 were from North Kesteven, achieving £70,000 of annualised financial gains on their behalf.

Cllr Ron Oxby, an NKDC rep to the Lincoln CAB board said the service was a great asset to District residents, complementing the Council’s own welfare and money advice service.

“By making these grants we are able to broaden our support base.

I have no doubt that in the difficult times ahead they will be of great help to a great many people, identifying ways to save money, budget better and ensure they claim the full benefits they are entitled to, which is ultimately good for their own wellbeing and the local economy,” he said.

Putting the wrong things in your recycling bins costs the Council more than £100,000 a year.

That’s a cost that falls back on to you - so if in doubt, leave it out.

Check your new bin tag to see what can and can’t go in the green-lidded bin.

Spring 2013 newsnk 5

To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities

Community action delivers facilities for village youngsters A can-do response to resolving teenagers’ concerns over a lack of local facilities has resulted in positive action Metheringham Parish Council got its skates on to progress a programme of community action involving the youngsters themselves.

This has resulted in a successful grant application supported by 800 people to WREN for £50,000 of waste recycling credit funding towards a fantastic skatepark, set to be completed in May. A second major initiative has been the opening of a ‘Youthy Drop-In’ at the Pavilion, currently running one night a week for 10-17 year olds. This gives the youngsters a fun place to go that is dry, warm and safe as it is supervised by a few volunteers. With more volunteer support opening hours could be extended.

The immense effort and time invested by volunteers has been heavily supported by many helpful people and organisations including the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Voluntary Centre Services staff, county council youth and community staff, Communitylincs, WREN, NKDC’s Community Initiatives manager and local residents who have supported various fundraising activities.

Safety advice Advice on crime reduction and community safety tailored to your street or village is available by signing up for alerts.

Lincs Alert is a community messaging system run by Lincolnshire Police giving subscribers a chance to provide information and receive alerts on local incidents and ongoing situations, such as spates of car crime, burglary and cycle thefts.

You register to receive alerts by email, phone or text and can choose options to personalise messages.

Broader benefits include a secure website available round the clock, joining an online virtual Neighbourhood and Home Watch network to swap ideas with other members, reporting information to Neighbourhood Police Teams and receiving direct feedback.

And if you register for Lincs Alert before the end of April you have the chance to win this teddy bear.

Register at www.lincsalert.co.uk or call 01522 558399 and speak to the Watchline administrator

6 newsnk Spring 2013

Further fundraising and volunteer opportunities will follow to enhance the facilities.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Member for Community Safety, said other villages should be inspired by Metheringham’s example. “It’s clear that by people getting involved in their community here, it has proven to be very rewarding both individually and collectively. It shows that effort by the community for the community can achieve things and I hope that others are inspired to go on and achieve even greater things,” he said.

Extra funding and links with another project means there’s never been a better time for young players to get involved with Friday Night Football.

The project continues to offer young people a pitch for playing football on Friday nights, allowing them to socialise in safety, away from the streets.

The weekly operation run by Carre’s Grammar School on its 3G pitches is for 13-16 year olds in the area to play organised matches.

It’s been funded for another two years by the NK Community Safety Partnership and others, to support it as it becomes self sustaining. During this time links will build with the NKDC Community Kickabout scheme expanding across District villages.

Week in, week out, around 80 teenagers gain a couple of hours exercise and social time. And since the

project began in Sleaford, Friday night anti-social behaviour has dropped significantly in the Sleaford area.

Teams play 7-aside at Carre’s with qualified staff refereeing matches and running tournaments. And it’s not just about the football, with trained members of staff available on site to discuss issues such as sexual health and signpost to support if it’s needed.

This year includes one-off competitions and participation in county, regional and national events.

If you are in school years 8 to 11 and want to get involved, just turn up on Friday nights at 6.45pm. Details at www.facebook.com/sleafordFNF or follow on Twitter @sleafordFNF

Building up funds

Olympic legacy at Washingborough

Community groups and parish councillors can access information and funding advice at a series of events staged by Community Lincs.

They are on March 20 at Welbourn Village Hall, Corby Glen Church Rooms on May 1 and Sturton by Stow Village Hall on June 12, all at 5.45pm to 9pm. The focus is on buildings and group development. They are free but must be booked. Call 01529 301959 or email Claire.riley@communitylincs.com

The Olympic Legacy will live on through improved sports facilities at Washingborough.

A £39,000 grant from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund will finance an upgrade of the all-weather multi-use games area to better serve the growing demand for netball and tennis as well as basketball and 5-aside football.

Once complete it will provide a much improved facility that will meet the needs of the village and its clubs for years to come.

Washingborough Playing Field Association chairman John Copsey said work should be completed by April, enabling the onward development of basketball and 5-aside football in the village over the months and years to come By carrying the London 2012 Inspire mark, the facility will be one of 1,000 linked to the Games.

Community cash Wildlife grant A fund of £120,000 is available for help for groups community groups to tap into within Sleaford and Kirkby la Thorpe.

The sum is exclusively for support of projects in Sleaford town and Kirkby la Thorpe parish, split equally between the two communities to a value of £20,000 each, per year, for three years.

The Community Fund is put up by the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant as part of a broader £285,000 voluntary contribution to enhance the area’s economic and environmental sustainability.

It is managed by a liaison panel made up of members of Sleaford, Kirkby la Thorpe and North Kesteven councils, plus plant owner Eco2 Lincs.

Local groups and organisations are invited to apply for grants ranging from £500, up to a maximum of £20,000 in any one year. Applications will be considered by the panel quarterly.

Details and applications from the NK Community Initiatives Team on 01529 308267, 01529 308257, email community_ initiatives@n-kesteven.gov.uk or online at www.sleafordrep.co.uk

Funds boost for Friday Night Footy means more youngsters can play

A grant fund to help community groups and parish councils spruce up their areas closes on April 1.

The Community Wildlife Grant fund managed by Lincolnshire County Council supports schemes which > Encourage community involvement with nature conservation projects > Promote, improve and protect biodiversity > Promote access to and enjoyment of the countryside.

Last year £7,839 was awarded to 24 environmental projects throughout Lincolnshire including Leasingham and Roxholme Parish Council’s Diamond Jubilee planting of 60 trees.

Orchards. Meadows and dry stone walling were also supported.

Grants are available for between £50 and £500, up to 75% of the total cost, with volunteer time counting towards the balance.

Funds will be awarded in two rounds, in April and September.

For further details and to make an application, call Matthew Davey on 01522 782070 or see www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cwg

SOW GROW COOK bushes

fruits

your own food

trees

your own fruits

lovely food for your family and friends

Would you like to grow your own vegetables and fruit?

NK has a community growing area in Sleaford and is looking for people to get involved.

If you’re interested please contact Karen Broddle on 01529 414155 ext 28257 or email partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk

COM9967RT_2.13

Our Community

To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven

Dam Buster commemorations give lift to District’s aviation heritage visitor appeal One of the most significant commemorations in the county this year will be May’s 70th anniversary of the Dam Buster raids. A cathedral service, film screening, special visitor trail and ongoing promotion of aviation heritage will honour the heroes’ actions Of the 19 aircraft which departed RAF Scampton on the night of May 16, 1943 three aborted their missions due to malfunctions and eight were lost, leaving just eight weary crews arriving back at base early the next morning.

Fifty three brave men were killed and three taken as prisoners of war.

All had carried out one of the Second World War’s most daring actions – the attack on the Ruhr Dams of Nazi Germany.

While making a significant dent in the enemy’s war capabilities and rationale, it was the euphoria which gripped our country and the lift it gave in national morale which proved a vital fillip at a time of significant pressure on the allied front.

Tribute will be paid to these gallant individuals at a Service of Commemoration in Lincoln Cathedral on Friday, May 17, at 2.30pm.

Two surviving crew members from that historic night are among guests and representatives invited from across the country, which include

Defence Attaches from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand representing the multi-national crew who took part.

Veterans from Bomber Command and Rafa will also be there plus the son of one of the killed pilots, travelling from Canada, and townsfolk from a Dutch town who tend many of the graves of the fallen airmen.

The Standard of 617Sqn, currently based at Lossiemouth, will be paraded at the start of the service.

Two of the squadron’s Tornado GR4s will hopefully escort the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster in a post-service flypast of the cathedral.

One thousand tickets for the service are being offered for free, maximum of two per applicant.

Write with a SAE and email or phone contact to Dam Busters Cathedral Event, Lincolnshire Archives, St Rumbold Street, Lincoln, LN2 5AB. All stamps used or unused after the allocation will be donated to an organisation supporting wounded servicemen at Headley Court.

Bomber Command Memorial Appeal Public consultation is underway on proposed designs for the Bomber Command Memorial to be located at the top of Canwick Hill.

The six shortlisted designs are all stunning and very different. They are being shown around the county during the spring in advance of the appeal’s formal launch at the end of May. As reported in the December newsnk, if you have donations, photos or memories to contribute towards the appeal and associated display, or to learn more about the design consultation, see www.lincsbombercommandmemorial.com

Make time for Dam Busters in May

Explore District’s aviation heritage

A Dam Busters trail taking in significant sites associated with the raids will be published in April. This an be found at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or by emailing phil.bonner@lincolnshire.gov.uk There are several other events taking place, also detailed online. > Grantham Museum – evening talk on May 3 > RAF Scampton – evening talk on May 18 > Woodhall Spa – EGU Conference Centre presentation on May 11 > Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre – history of the squadron open May 18-19 > Woodhall Spa – unveiling of new 617 Sqn memorial on May 19

Improvements are being made right across the estate of museums, airfields and aviation sites under Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire to enhance the experience for younger visitors in particular.

The venues in North Kesteven are Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF Digby Sector Operations Room Museum, Metheringham Airfield Visitors’ Centre and RAF Waddington Heritage Centre.

Other venues are Grantham Museum, Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF Wickenby Memorial Museum, Thorpe Camp Visitors’ Centre, RAF Scampton Historical Museum and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Centre at Coningsby.

Discover the

Fire van sets motor museum alight

The Heart of Lincolnshire Visitor Guide is just as useful for local residents as those from further afield.

As well as comprehensive listings of places to stay, visit and dine, there are features on aviation heritage, the District’s history, Stepping Out walks, community arts trails and celebrating the National Centre for Craft & Design’s 10th anniversary.

For a copy, call in to any Council outlet, detailed on page 2, or visitor attraction or download it at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

A Bedford van approaching its 60th birthday has become the newest attraction at the Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum.

Having spent its working life criss-crossing the District as part of the Kesteven County Fire Service fleet, it has now travelled from its former base at Sleaford up to the museum at North Hykeham.

The museum is operated at Whisby Road by the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society and has its pre-season launch on Easter Sunday, March 31.

As well as displaying the bright red Bedford it will be used for display at rallies and events.

Charles Hunt , who was officer in charge of the retained crew at

Heart of Lincolnshire 2013

Sleaford Fire Station for 36 years up to 1986, remembers it well.

“We used to go out in it at weekends to maintain and paint the hydrants in the villages.

It would be used to take relief crews out to the big fires too and we’d pick up fish and chips to keep the lads going if they were on a big job and had nothing to eat,” he said.

The open day is 10.30am to 5pm on March 31, £6 admission with accompanied children free.

Normal opening is Sundays only 1pm to 4pm between November and April. From May to October it is Sundays 10am to 4pm and weekdays 12pm to 4pm. Details on 01522 500566, email lvvs@ntlworld.com or website www.lvvs.org.uk

ymonocE ruO Our Economy

Grant puts wind in the sails for Heckington Mill The award of almost one million pounds has put wind into the sails of a restoration project for Heckington Mill.

Following the success of its Heritage Lottery Fund application, the Windmill Trust will initially work to secure ownership of the whole mill complex before embarking on an extensive programme to restore the country’s only eight-sail mill into a world-class attraction.

A new set of sails should be fitted by early summer. The wider project will start towards the end of 2013, taking around two years to complete.

The plan is to fully illustrate the mill in its working context by restoring the whole Victorian complex, including the former cart-shed, granary, one-time sawmill and Mill House tea room, with a visitor experience tracing the route from field to fork through harvesting, milling, baking and eating.

As the mill will also process barley for the on-site brewery there is also scope for a visitor experience following grain from field to flagon.

There has been wide-ranging local support for the project, including local businesses and £30,000 in match funding from NKDC. NKDC Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE, said the award of £990,200 Lottery funding to unlock the mill’s potential ‘truly recognises the significance of Heckington’s windmill’.

“It is a huge vote of confidence in the commitment and hard work that has been put in to date and I wish them well on the long road ahead to fulfilling their vision.”

Trust Chairman Charles Pinchbeck said a working mill could not be seen in such context anywhere else.

He praised the contribution of everyone involved in the 477 page bid, weighing in at 6lb, managed in Heckington by Heritage Lincolnshire.

Heckington already has a unique place in the windmill world as the only village in Britain and probably the world to have boasted 4,5,6 and 8 sailed mills and it still has the only eight-sail mill in North West Europe.

Learn more, follow progress and sign up as a supporter or volunteer at www.heckingtonwindmill.org.uk The mill is open on Sundays until Easter and then Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 12pm to 5pm.

The tea room is open Wednesday to Sunday.

Spring 2013 newsnk 7

Our Economy

To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven

To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven

Business breakfast The fourth NK Business Breakfast will be held in May, in the LN6 area, focussing on the pioneering partnership raising the fortunes and functionality of the wider area.

The events are an ideal opportunity for NK to present itself as ‘open for business’, to meet with business, hear their concerns and support networking across the sector. More than 100 people attended last autumn’s event.

If you are interested in attending the spring Business Breakfast, email ecodev@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Supply chain links Businesses interested in exploring contract opportunities with the Council are invited to get in touch.

As part of its drive to boost the local economy, North Kesteven District Council is looking to promote scope for local suppliers to do more business with the Council.

Initiatives will be stepped up in the summer. For details, call the Economic Development Unit on 01529 414155.

Growing success The UK’s largest crop growers’ event will be back in the District for a third consecutive year in June.

Historically Cereals switched sites, coming to Lincolnshire every second or third year, but since finding Boothby Graffoe in 2011 organisers have remained.

Attracting around 26,000 visitors over two days, including 100s from overseas, and 500-plus exhibitors, the Cereals showcase represents an enormous economic boost to the District.

The event will be on June 12 and 13.

Details at www.cerealsevent.co.uk

Putting a stamp on business growth in the LN6 postal area

Sleaford Guide App A Sleaford Town Guide ‘app’ is available for smartphones to help residents and visitors make the most of the town.

The easy-access shortcut is suited to both iPhone and Android devices, bringing together essential information on town shops, services and matters of interest to help people discover more about local options. It is free to download and includes information about Sleaford, shopping, food and leisure, travel and accommodation, services and news.

Businesses can get onboard for free inclusion by emailing communications@ n-kesteven.gov.uk or call 01529 308116.

To access information in the palm of your hand, on the move, anytime and anywhere.

8 newsnk Spring 2013

newsnk unearths firm facts about two businesses in the District

Closer co-operative working between the councils covering the LN6 postal area in the north of the District is driving forward longterm aims and actions to boost economic success North Hykeham’s reputation as a leading location to do business is being enhanced through the endeavours of a local partnership spearheaded by business itself.

The emergence of the LN6 business group comes at a crucial and exciting time for exploring opportunities for an even better commercial environment in and around the town and across the wider LN6 postcode area.

Working in partnership with the five councils with jurisdiction in the area – North Hykeham Town Council, South Hykeham Parish Council, NKDC, City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council – the emphasis is on enabling and encouraging economic growth.

An LN6 strategic group has been established to pioneer a new form of business-led neighbourhood plan with the express purpose of delivering an economic plan that maximises the potential of the Hykeham area - which is seen as the economic gateway to the East Midlands and the rest of Britain with strong transport links to the A46 and the A1.

This will include a series of actions, aims and aspirations.

With the Hykehams at its heart, the area covered by the LN6 partnership includes Teal Park, Doddington Road and Whisby Road Industrial Estates, Station Road, North Hykeham and Lincoln Enterprise and Gateway Park.

In the simplest terms it’s all about promoting LN6 at the north of the District as the perfect place to do

rch ly sea Simp ur App in yo Android or Store rket for Ma own ord T f a e l S Guide

businesses, identifying barriers to growth – such as infrastructure inadequacies and congestion – overcoming them and sustaining ongoing economic growth by opening up further scope for employment potential.

There are already around 9,000 people working within the core Hykeham area – most of them travelling in to work – and potential to create 4,000 more jobs at Teal Park when fully developed.

Because the defined LN6 business area straddles the boundary between North Kesteven and Lincoln City this presents both opportunities and challenges and success relies on close co-operation.

As such, the LN6 group aspires to be the voice of the business community across the entire LN6 postcode on every topic that affects the wellbeing of business.

Such wellbeing is even affected by the harsh reality of it taking 45 minutes to travel from Whisby Road through to, say Asda in North Hykeham, just to get a lunchtime sandwich.

NKDC Leader Cllr Marion Brighton, representing the District on the steering group, said this seemingly trivial example adequately illustrates the desperate need for site consolidation and traffic congestion to be eased in order to build confidence for investors and sharpen LN6’s competitive edge.

“With its disparate sites across the city, Siemens was finding that so much time was wasted in traffic. But by

“

As the LN6 group approaches its third birthday, it continues to go from strength to strength in reflecting the views of those who trade from LN6 to local government and others, and connecting businesses to each other.

It all started with me seeking out what other businesses were on Chattertons’ doorstep. Amazed by the number and variety I found, from high-tech manufacturing to retail and professional services, I realised what a vibrant business community LN6 is.

As a trading group, I am delighted that other businesses continue to treat LN6 as both valuable and needed. More businesses are joining all the time; registration is easy and free at www.ln6.org.uk I’m delighted to say that I am now a customer of several businesses that trade in LN6, either through Chattertons or on a personal basis.

These are businesses I wouldn’t have known about before LN6, so I encourage all traders here to register for a slice of the action.”

Sophie Attfield, Chair of LN6

relocating to Teal Park it sees immense potential for improving economic efficiency and staff wellbeing, through improved accessibility and increased adoption and promotion of sustainable transport solutions.

“Their story is typical of so many businesses in North Hykeham who we seek to support by removing and resolving issues such as congestion, neighbourhood shops “LN6 is the fastest growing business district in Central Lincolnshire and of

course by making the environment better for business, we make it better for residents too.”

The work of Access LN6, detailed below, in easing highway congestion and promoting alternative travel options, dovetails neatly with the business group in this respect - both being crucial to delivering benefits on the ground.

Based on collaboration, LN6 is equally about developing inter-business relations, improved local trading

conditions and a better environment for a vibrant business community.

It is open to all types business trading in LN6, large and small.

A key aspect of the LN6 business group is networking - both formally at bi-monthly meetings and informally.

Chairman Sophie Attfield illustrates in her column below, how awareness of neighbouring businesses has been of mutual benefit to all members.

Further detail on the group and its outlook is at www.LN6.org

With more than 4,000 people from North Hykeham travelling outside the area to work and a further 5,500 people travelling in from outside every day, that puts a lot of traffic of the roads.

That creates serious congestion and puts a strain on not only frayed tempers but also business efficiency.

So imagine how much easier it would be if just a fraction of those people got out from behind the wheel and jumped into the saddle, let the train take the strain, travelled by bus or ‘hoofed it’ to work by foot.

That’s the vision behind a £6.5m programme called Access LN6 which aims to improve sustainable transport options right across the LN6 area – for residents and businesses.

Over the next two years Access LN6 will be focusing on changing people’s travel behaviour, removing barriers to using sustainable transport options and generally increasing opportunities for people to walk, cycle, lift share or use buses and trains – all with the aim of getting people to think differently about how they travel within the LN6 area.

It’s three times quicker to cycle than walk and almost always quicker to cycle than take the car when travelling across the LN6 commercial core by

both day and night.

That’s why the encouragement of more sustainable travel choices is geared towards stimulating economic growth as much as reducing carbon emissions, with a strong emphasis on supporting businesses to support their staff.

Projects include: > Improvements to bus services linking Teal Park, Doddington Road and North Hykeham > Creation of a cycle path along Whisby Road > Refurbishment of Hykeham station > Grants for improved cycle storage at businesses > A carshare website to bring drivers and potential passengers together > The Lincoln Cycle Challenge to encourage cycle take up > Scope for cycle hire and purchase schemes > Guidance for businesses and residents to illustrate the ease of taking public transport These are all being rolled out at various stages over the coming months, with further detail of each one at www.accessln6.co.uk The need for such a proactive programme is a consequence of the success of the LN6 part of North

Kesteven as a place to do business – fostering 2,000 new jobs in 200 new businesses in the past five years and Teal Park alone having potential to house a further 4,000 jobs going forwards as it develops.

The bulk of the £6.5m Access LN6 fund is provided through the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, with support from NKDC, county and city councils, transport providers and other partners.

It covers the entirety of the LN6 postcode area, up to the University and skirts along Tritton Road around to North and South Hykeham and out to Witham St Hughs, Swinderby and Skellingthorpe.

It includes Teal Park, Doddington Road and Whisby Road Industrial Estates, Station Road in North Hykeham, Lincoln Enterprise and Gateway Park, all now loosely grouped under the LN6 business partnership.

The project’s aims also apply to people who travel in, out and through the LN6 area, with some schemes able to support travel across LN6.

To find out more detail and keep ahead of the traffic Twitter @accessln6 www.facebook.com/accessln6 www.accessln6.co.uk

Princess Anne accepts her gnome gift from Lindum Group chairman David Chambers. Photo: Steve Smailes, The Lincolnite

Princess takes a gnome home from Access LN6 project seeks to ease congestion locally Saddle-up for work her visit to Lindum Business Park Needing a push to get back on your bike or to support your staff into the saddle?

Then why not sign up for the Lincoln Cycle Challenge.

It’s a fun, free challenge where businesses compete against each other to get the most employees cycling between April 22 and May 12, with lots of prizes on offer.

The main focus is on LN6 area businesses and people who live or work in the area.

Cycling makes both personal and commercial sense as it increases staff health and reduces sickness, saves money and saves time.

Even if you’ve not ridden a bike in a long time, you can still take part.

Sign up your business and encourage your colleagues to take part at www.lovetoride.net/lincoln Contact Sarah Hubery on 01522 555 217 or email sarah.hubery@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Siemens supports survey of travel modes within LN6 area More train stops Businesses in the LN6 area of North Hykeham are encouraging their staff to complete travel surveys during the spring to assess the most popular methods of transport.

Siemens employees newly transferred to Teal Park are leading the way by recording their daily journeys.

The Sustainable Travel Project results will contribute valued baseline data towards Access LN6 by illustrating how the Access LN6 programme can support businesses in the LN6 postcode.

A range of sustainable transport options were put forward by Siemens as part of the planning application approved by NKDC for relocation to Teal Park as anchor tenant.

Up to 500 employees at Siemens’ Teal Park office are expected to take part in the project. The engineering firm has pioneered a number of ‘green’ transport initiatives in Lincoln with the introduction of electric vehicles into its fleet to reduce its carbon footprint and supports workers playing a personal role in helping to raise awareness of their impact on the environment.

More trains are stopping at North Hykeham throughout the day.

East Midlands Trains services between Newark Northgate and Lincoln, have been adjusted to make the additional Hykeham stop.

This is part of the package of transport improvements negotiated by NKDC as a positive outcome of the Teal Park planning process.

Lincoln-bound trains now call at Hykeham at 10.14am, 3.46pm and 5.02pm on weekdays, with Newarkbound trains reaching Hykeham at 6.26pm. These complement the existing stopping services.

ymonocE ruO Our Economy

Princess Anne has taken home a garden gnome as a reminder of the transformation made of a derelict 21 acre site in North Hykeham into a business park sustaining 400 jobs.

The unusual gift was presented to her when she visited Lindum Business Park in February. There are many others dotted around the Station Road site where 28 businesses now operate.

These range from local charity organisations to technical companies operating globally, reaping the benefits of a £5m investment by Lindum Group over 13 years at the old Wiggins Teape paper manufacturing site.

Lindum Group now uses the factory it built for Wiggins Teape in 1991 as a head office, alongside 10 incubator units supporting new and start up enterprise.

During her two hours at the District business park, Princess Anne met some of the Lindum craftsmen and apprentices, speaking to them at length and showing a good knowledge of the construction industry.

She received a posy from Charlotte Hampson from Linkage Community Trust, a charity with offices on site.

Make a Perfect Pitch for success Are you sitting on the next great business idea?

If you are aged 16 to 24 and out of work - or someone you know is – and have a bright idea that could evolve into the next big thing with appropriate mentoring, it’s time to make a pitch.

PartnershipNK, a collaboration of partners working across North Kesteven, is looking for a selection of young people with big ideas to pitch against each other to win up to £20k to make their idea reality.

This could be for a new product, a new service or an ingenious device.

All applications will be reviewed and whittled down to a shortlist of no more than ten. Each will then be matched to an appropriate business mentor across the District, depending on the nature of the idea, to develop the idea and prepare business plans and prototypes.

On June 11 they will each pitch their idea to organisations at the annual PartnershipNK event.

The winning entrepreneur will have up to £20,000 to turn their big idea

into a reality, with ongoing support and guidance from their business mentor and PartnershipNK. With a fifth of all NK’s unemployed being in the 16-24 age bracket, this initiative is a local response to local concern relating to youth unemployment and a general lack of entrepreneurial opportunity.

Partnership chairman Herman Kok, Financial Director and Company Secretary at Lindum Group said: “This initiative is not just another good idea, but a working example of us rolling up our sleeves and offering real support.

“There are young entrepreneurs out there with great ideas, worthy of support and PartnershipNK is providing the money to help them make a difference; to beat this recession and to create jobs and future wealth.”

Applicants must be aged 16-24 and currently unemployed, although they can be in education or training.

Details and application forms from PartnershipNK on 01529 414155 or email partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk

A North Hykeham power firm which aimed to trade for at least three years has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

VxI Power’s business is mainly concentrated on the design and manufacture of custom power supplies, DC UPS systems for maintaining power continuity, battery chargers and other power related products.

It is also engaged in the re-sale of Swiss-built Inverters, Yuasa Industrial Batteries and Swedish IP65 Chargers.

For many years its key customers have included Anglian Water, Western Power, Yorkshire Water, Schneider and Lincat, helping to generate sales in excess of £1.8m.

In 2012 a total of 39,000 parts were shipped to 125 customers, comprising 260 different models from 10 product ranges.

Set on 2000sq ft of land off Station Road, North Hykeham, Vxl employs 25 engineers from various backgrounds, many of whom are local and have been trained through the company. Staff retention is extremely high, and there is currently one apprentice, and two members of staff training at university.

A significant proportion of the workforce travel to work by bicycle and the firm has recently joined the LN6 business group striving to enhance travel and economic aspects of North Hykeham.

Recycling firm, MEC Recycling at Swinderby is a family concern, which has grown out of a farming operation.

Having farmed for more than 50 years, diversification into waste management began in 2002 with the processing just a few hundred tonnes of green waste for use on their farm.

They now process over 20,000 tonnes per year, producing 14,000 tonnes of compost for re-sale.

MEC Recycling currently recycle half of NK’s green waste, half of West Lindsey’s and all of Lincoln’s, 90% of it green and 10% wood.

The composting process takes 12 weeks in total. Once chipped to reduce its size, it is put into a mound known as a windrow and turned weekly. During this stage it reaches 70oC to sterilise the product.

After six weeks it is moved to a storage area to mature for a further six weeks before being graded ready for sale – Lincolnshire Co-op stores being among local outlets.

Do you want to have your business associated with the spirit of achievement and the tireless, selfless and quiet voluntary endeavour which goes on in North Kesteven.

The Council is keen to find the right partners to support and sponsor the NK Community Champion Awards for 2013.

If you are interested, call Pip Batty on 01529 308167 or email pip_batty@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Spring 2013 newsnk 9

Our Economy

To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven

Building excellence awarded and quality praised

Shining examples of excellence in building design and construction across North Kesteven are being put forward for regional awards celebrating the best in building in 2012 Building on the presentation of North Kesteven District Council’s own Building Control Awards, all six projects will now compete in the regional LABC awards, which honour designers, developers and builders involved in schemes which the local Building Control Unit considers to be worthy of recognition.

This was the first year that multiple awards were given by the NK Building Control Unit in recognition of unusual design, innovative ideas, sustainability, high standards or the overall quality of a building project completed in 2012.

They were presented by Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Building Control, energy efficiency and health and safety.

He said: “One of the things we are really proud of in our District is the quality of the design and construction of new buildings and conversions.

Although times have been hard, the standards employed in some of the building work that has gone on in that time has been fantastic and that is much appreciated by everyone in the District.”

Twelve awards were given, to architect and builder on each project.

The unit is already looking out for

Recipients of the 2013 North Kesteven Building Control Awards for excellence, pictured with Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Board Member responsible for Building Control examples of good practice to put forward for awards in 2013.

Only those schemes which have chosen to use the local authority’s building control services are eligible for the LABC regional awards.

By using the authority’s services clients can also be assured of extensive technical expertise, local knowledge and quick response times, value for money, prompt and efficient service, and a comprehensive package of related advice.

NKDC’s Building Control Unit offers a new, fully comprehensive service to customers The Building Control Unit delivers a safe built environment by ensuring the health and safety of people in and around buildings, their welfare and convenience, furthering the conservation of fuel and power and ensuring reasonable provision of facilities for the disabled.

The Unit provides a plan-checking and site-inspection service to the public, builders, architects and developers to ensure compliance with building regulations, and also has responsibility for: > Dealing with dangerous structures and demolitions to ensure public safety > Enabling the public to view the public sewers maps > Keeping the register of Approved Inspector building regulation applications > Land Charge enquiries > Promoting access for the disabled It is now also able to offer builders and architects the following services: > Pre-submission advice > SAP assessments > EPC certificates > Air testing > Access audits > And possibly in the near future, fire risk assessments We also offer through the LABC: > Noise testing > Fire risk assessments > New homes warranties

Contact the Building Control Unit on 01529 308158 or email building_control@n-kesteven.gov.uk 10 newsnk Spring 2013

Best Social Housing Scheme – High Dyke Navenby, a cluster of 18 houses and six apartments built for Longhurst & Havelock Homes, operating a well-managed and organised site throughout, going above and beyond compliance standards as Considerate Constructors – Architect L5 Design, Builder Lindum Homes.

Best Small Housing Development – Four executive homes built on land behind The Royal Oak, Scopwick, built and finished to high standards, based on finely detailed drawing which made everyone’s job easier – Architect DB Lawrence & Associates, Builder Roger Leighton Homes Ltd.

Best Sustainable Development – new two-storey detached house at Post Office Lane, Chapel Hill built to replace the architect’s existing home, in the local style and to high standards of energy efficiency and sustainability – Architect Guy Forman; Builder James Wall.

Best Commercial Building – Churchill Business Park, Bracebridge Heath, to create 14 business starter units with high standards of finish and good thermal insulation. Praised for professionalism and positive contractor/client relations – Architect and Builder, Taylor Lindsay Ltd.

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SECTION VIEW THROUGH NEW EXTENSION SCALE 1:25 @ A1

Sofa to shift or carpet to chuck?

To arrange a collection please call 01529 414155 or 01522 699699 (if calling from a Lincoln number).

We aim to fulfil all appointments within five working days

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Best Domestic Project – Prestons Farm, Eagle Hall, a refurbished farmhouse fully respecting traditional building methods and features, extended and restored in keeping with the original, rescued from a fire to a family home – Architect John Halton Design Ltd, Builder D Hatcher & Son.

Best Education Building – Infill of a courtyard to provide extra accommodation at Fosseway Academy, North Hykeham, during which no problems arose whatsoever, a testament to the care and attention taken during the design and build process – Architect Heronswood Design Ltd, Contractor Daubney Ltd.

T:\JOB NUMBERS\NEW JOB NOS\CC09 LINCOLN FOSSE WAY ACADEMY - EXT & ALTS\08 DRAWINGS- PHOTOS\WORKING DRAWINGS\CC09-2515 FOSSEWAY POST-COMPLETION 21-01-13

Concessions apply if you are in receipt of an income related benefit, otherwise the charges from April 1 will be: Electrical Items (eg TV, washing machine, fridge, PC) £10.50 for up to 3 items, £21 for up to 6 items Domestic Items (eg bed, chair, carpet) charges as above, £10.50 & £21

To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven

Council puts an emphasis on improved private sector housing

Our Homes semoH ruO

Planning for future growth

scope for enforcement.

Cllr Stewart Ogden, Executive Member for housing, said: “As part of our commitment to ensuring residents have access to homes of a decent standard we are keen to pursue a range of measures covering both public and private provision.

“Support for people living in their own homes and renting privately is in addition to us pioneering the building of new Council housing and regenerating long term empty homes to support housing growth.”

Through its emphasis on improving the standards of private housing, the Council also recognises the importance of regenerating the 700plus empty homes across the District, 200 of which have been empty for more than six months. To this end it is working on a number of measures to support owners in bringing these back into use.

Resident feedback on proposals to plan and manage growth across North Kesteven is being fed into the broader picture for Central Lincolnshire.

A six week consultation on policies outlining two sustainable urban extensions to Sleaford and two more at the north of the District, touching on Lincoln, closed in mid March.

All responses made to these and broader suggestions for Lincoln, Gainsborough and Sleaford are being built into the policies going forward which will shape the way the area functions and grows through to 2031 and beyond.

The vision for Sleaford is for the two urban extensions, south and west of the town, to stimulate growth through: > 3,350 new homes > More than three hectares of employment land > New infrastructure, roads and schools > A regenerated town centre > Scope for business start-up and expansion.

The vision for Lincoln’s South East Quadrant at Bracebridge Heath & Canwick is for > 6,000 homes, almost half to be constructed by 2031 > 10 hectares of employment including small offices, light industry and start-up units > New local centres and community facilities > Safeguarding views of the Cathedral > Parks and green links to Lincoln and surrounding communities Together, such planned growth will make a valuable contribution towards building stronger, more vibrant and prosperous communities, deliver jobs and new business opportunities, enhance health, education and retail facilities and help deliver the city’s Eastern Bypass To follow the ongoing work on Central Lincolnshire’s growth, sign up for a regular newsletter.

Visit: www.central-lincs.org.uk Like: www.facebook.com/ Call: 01522 699013 or 01529 414155 centrallincolnshire Email: talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk Follow: www.twitter.com/talkplanning

Un-cooperative landlords fined

Tax on empties

Energy saving is a big Green Deal

As part of the Council’s emphasis on improving living standards in private rented accommodation, two private landlords have been fined.

Landlords Robert Downie Reid and Vernon David Hughes admitted failing to improve the standard of their property on Witham Drive, Chapel Hill, failing to comply with an improvement notice.

NKDC Housing Renewal Officers liaised with them for some time to find a solution for upgrading the thermal comfort of the property and other flats they owned before taking enforcement action.

They were fined £325 each and ordered to pay £100 each towards prosecution costs plus a £15 victim surcharge, totalling £880 – discounted by a third because of their guilty plea.

Cllr Stewart Ogden said: “The Council is committed to improving standards in the private rented sector through negotiation and enforcement against landlords who let properties in poor condition. We will prosecute landlords who do not carry out the required work within a reasonable timescale”.

Owners of homes which sit empty will no longer qualify for extended discounts on their Council Tax. Instead, from April 1, depending on how long the property has been vacant, they could face having to pay one and a half times the full charge.

This should be an incentive for owners of the 698 houses which stand empty in North Kesteven to bring them back into use for families and individuals in need.

Under countywide changes to Council Tax exemptions, any property that is empty after two years will now be charged at 150% whilst it has previously been awarded a 50% discount.

In North Kesteven this will apply to 209 long-term empties.

A 25% discount will apply for the first two years of being unoccupied and the first two months will qualify for a full 100% discount.

This fits within NKDC‘s commitment to restoring houses for habitation.

Cllr Stewart Ogden said: “Just because they’re empty it doesn’t mean they don’t cost anything for the councils to service.

“The reality is that they’re a heavy burden on resources such as the police, fire service, anti-social behaviour, building control and environmental health teams.”

In the last 12 months, NKDC’s efforts have brought 23 houses back into use. If you own an empty home and want to discuss your options or live near one and want to report it, call project officer Luke Taylor on 01529 308297.

Householders and businesses in NK could increase the energy efficiency of their properties and reduce greenhouse gases thanks to new Government initiatives.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has put in place the ‘Green Deal’ to enable homeowners and businesses to implement energy efficiency improvements, which will be paid back through their energy bills.

It pays for measures upfront and lets you pay for some or all of the improvements over time. Repayments will be no more than what a typical household can save in energy costs.

Improvements to the home are wide ranging and could include loft insulation, cavity or solid wall insulation, solar panelling, double glazing and draught proofing.

A Green Deal assessor will visit your property, discuss your energy use and help decide if you could benefit from Green Deal improvements. There is no obligation to take the assessors’ advice.

Only Green Deal providers can quote and provide finance under the Green Deal programme.

The Government has also placed a series of obligations known as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) on fuel suppliers to help vulnerable residents achieve affordable warmth and to help meet the cost of improving hard to treat homes, such as those needing solid wall insulation.

Residents on low income or suffering from ill health who require assistance to keep warm are

District’s committment on quality homes extends into all areas North Kesteven District Council’s emphasis on providing high quality housing to satisfy local need doesn’t stop at expansion of its own stock.

The Council also has a focus on ensuring all housing, in both the private and public sector, is in plentiful supply and of the highest standards.

As part of its efforts to achieve this it has approved a new Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy, covering promotion of independent living, reinvigoration of empty homes and better energy efficiency.

The Strategy’s five themes cover: Ensuring proper housing standards. Supporting vulnerable home owners, landlords committed to providing a good service, and owners of empty homes willing to bring them back into use to ensure their homes meet minimum housing standards.

The Council may use its powers to

intervene to ensure proper standards.

Reducing energy use and delivering affordable warmth.

Issues of fuel poverty and energy efficiency require attention both nationally and within North Kesteven.

Supporting independent living.

Providing support services for older and disabled occupants continues to be a major aspect of Council services to help people remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

Promoting access to the private rented sector. The private rented sector will need to continue growing to help meet housing need in the District. It is key to work closely with willing private housing landlords, existing and potential private tenants.

Bringing empty homes back into use. While promoting use of empty homes, the Private Sector Housing Renewal team ensures high property standards and energy efficiency, with

Broad range of housing services The Council’s housing department covers a broad range of services supporting the housing needs of tenants and residents throughout the District.

This is on top of providing and maintaining a stock of more than 3,800 council houses.

“People often think the Council can only help people with getting a Council property or in applying for housing benefit,” said Housing Needs Manager Tracy Aldrich.

“In reality we offer housing advice to all NK residents regardless of tenure, advice on their housing rights, responsibilities and options including low cost home ownership,”

“We can give practical assistance to anyone worried about losing their home, help to stay in their current home by negotiating with mortgage lenders and help to find a new home in the private rented sector through Rent Advance and Deposit Guarantee.

“We can offer advice and assistance to those experiencing Domestic Abuse, including arranging additional security works through our Sanctuary Scheme. I urge anyone who might benefit from these services to get in touch as often the sooner we know the more we can help, before it comes to actual homelessness.”

For advice and support on any housing matter call on 01529 414155.

Responders to Warmth is a project to help with the costs of heating, insulation, emergency fuel and a handy-person Call on 0845 606 4566 if you think you could be eligible admin@responderstowarmth.co.uk / www.responderstowarmth.co.uk

also reminded that the county’s Responders to Warmth scheme is still running. See the advert alongside.

Cllr Richard Wright, NKDC Executive Member for energy efficiency said: “We are pleased to promote these schemes and hope that for some residents and businesses they provide a route to secure energy efficiency improvements to their properties.”

“Reducing energy bills is important to help residents keep warm at a more affordable cost and improved energy efficiency reduces harmful gas emissions, both of which form part of our Council priorities.”

The Energy Saving Advice Service can help you find a provider and offers impartial advice. Call 0300 123 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/greendeal As part of the Home Energy Lincs Partnership the Council is currently developing methods to support Green Deal locally, aiming to have this in place later this year to ensure residents and businesses can access the initiative, receive sound advice and are safeguarded from potential rogue selling practices.

In the meantime, if a Green Deal assessor visits your home and you want advice on the courses of action available before you sign up, contact us on 01529 414155 or email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk Responders to Warmth scheme administrators can be contacted on 0845 606 4566 or by visiting www. responderstowarmth.co.uk They can put you in touch with ECO providers.

Spring 2013 newsnk 11

Our Communities

Autumn arts festival will grow from seed

Energy forefront

Closing the gap on Business Rates

A creative celebration of Sleaford’s historic seed industry will take place in the autumn.

Just as farmers all around sow and drill their seed in preparation for a bountiful harvest, the aim of the Zygote Festival is to plant the germ of a creative idea and propagate inspiration and talent through a spectacular arts festival.

Zygote is a fitting name, being the initial cell stage in a plant’s development, formed by fertilization.

The showcase will be staged at Eastgate Green alongside the National Centre for Craft & Design and other locations through the town, with audiences walking from site to site, much as they did for 2011’s SaFire and 2009’s Light Night.

Attractions will include dancing acrobats gliding through the trees, kinetic sculptures scuttling along a cable and raining water on the crowd below and gymnasts unfurling from swathes of silk like butterflies emerging from chrysalis.

It will take place on October 20, before which a series of workshops will be held by NKDC’s community arts outreach artsNK. Zygote explores the theme of seeds and germination as a creative celebration inspired by the town’s connection to the seed industry. It offers a broad range of stunning artforms - live action dance and acrobatics, digital film and animation (similar to that pictured), light installations, kinetic sculpture, drama, music, sound installations and pyrotechnics.

Pieces will be created and commissioned especially for the event, at specific sites and through community involvement – which will include mass mask making for the 4,000-strong audience.

Zygote will also be an ideal canvas for the new Kesteven and Sleaford High School animation project to showcase their skills.

The aim is that it will develop creativity and leave a legacy of an inspired Sleaford community with increased ambition for the future, increased creative skills and capacity and a unique collection of sculptural work for future events.

For details email artsnk@leisureconnection.co.uk or see forthcoming newsnks in June and September.

The Council’s recent approval for a solar farm at Burton Pedwardine puts the District at the forefront of investment in renewable energy technologies.

Solar energy is the latest green energy source to be considered for North Kesteven, with the £150m straw burning power station nearing completion at Kirby la Thorpe and Government permission recently given for 22 wind turbines at Heckington Fen – to be the UK’s fourth largest wind farm.

Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Board member for energy efficiency, said: “From a sustainability point of view, North Kesteven’s really at the cutting edge for delivery of green energy.”

“The straw and solar projects especially contribute positively to concerns over energy security, rising energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Such projects also reap benefits for both the economy and green industry locally.”

The turbines were quoted by applicant Ecotricity as having potential to generate 40Mw to power 66,000 homes; the straw power station has a 38Mw capacity to power 65,000 homes; and the solar farm 15Mw which the operators say is equivalent to the needs of 3,600 homes.

The solar farm is a relatively new concept in green energy.

Applicants Lark Energy Ltd were given permission by the NKDC planning committee to use 29 hectares of farm land at Grange Farm half a mile north west of Burton Pedwardine, to install 56,540 fixed photovoltaic solar panels in 88 rows.

Being up to 3m above ground, the land can still be used for grazing during the solar farm’s 25 years of operation and because of the location, landscape and vegetation it is felt that it wouldn’t harm visual amenity for local people.

A change in the way business rates are allocated for use by the Council strengthens the link between what companies pay and the services we, as the Council, provide.

Although it still won’t be responsible for setting the business rate, from April 1 North Kesteven District Council will be able to retain a small proportion of what it collects to invest in local service provision, economic development and business support.

The current Business Rates Scheme has operated since 1990.

Every business is provided with a rateable value provided by the Government Valuation Office and every year Central Government sets the business rate level to be applied to the rateable value of the business – universally across the entire country.

This means that businesses in North Kesteven are charged at the same level against rateable value – as across the rest of the country, with no local variation. For the coming year this is 46.2 pence for each pound of rateable value for smaller businesses and 47.1 pence per pound for businesses with a rateable value in excess of £18,000.

Using this formula, the Council calculates the level of business rates due for each business in the District, sends a bill and collects what is due.

The income collected from business rates in the District has to be passed to Central Government after certain deductions for administration, write-offs and various rate reliefs.

Currently, most of this money is then returned back to the Council through the Formula Grant process.

From April 1, this arrangement changes when the Business Rates Retention Scheme comes into force.

Whilst the new arrangements are complex, in essence, Central Government will continue to set the rate of charge and will continue to receive a large proportion of the

Free bin and butt District delivery

District gardeners can buy compost bins and water butts at a reduced price to help their gardens grow Through a deal between Getcomposting.com and Lincolnshire County Council, compost bins and water butts continue to be available at subsidised prices.

For just £16.98 or £19.98 you can buy compost bins with a 220 or 330 litre capacity Water butt kits to hold 100 or 190 litres can be bought for a reduced price of just £29.98 and £39.98.

For every one bought you can get another half price.

If you can get your order in before April 1, the prices will be £1 cheaper, so it’s a great time to get ahead of the game and get composting. It’s also an ideal chance to get ready for home composting if you decide not to buy-into the new garden waste collection charge starting this spring. Delivery remains £5.49.

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12 newsnk Spring 2013

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business rates you pay, but local authorities such as NKDC and the County Council will be able to retain some of the business rates locally – estimated to be around 14%.

Under the current scheme the Council was just a collection agency on behalf of Central Government.

Under the new scheme it will need to predict, as accurately as possible, the amount of business rates to be collected in each forthcoming financial year as this will have a direct impact on the level of available income to finance local services.

Cllr Geoff Hazelwood, Executive Member with responsibility for finance said one advantage of the new scheme is that NKDC will be able to keep a proportion of the business rates from new and expanding businesses, or most of it where it gave planning permission for a business that provides green energy.

“The introduction of the new Business Rates Retention Scheme is unlikely to affect you directly,” he said.

“It does not return the responsibility for setting business rates back to the control of the District Council. The Government’s Valuation Office will still be responsible for setting the rateable value for businesses and the Government will continue to set the business rates poundage each year.

“However, the Council feels that you should know about these new arrangements because it does create a more direct link between the business rates paid and the services provided locally.

“It is therefore really useful if the Council can share more closely with local businesses its own objectives and spending plans for the future and understand businesses’ aspirations for growth and development so that together we can work towards a more prosperous, vibrant and thriving economy in support of the local area,” said Cllr Hazelwood.

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As well as being able to buy a discounted compost bin and water butt, you can win one of each.

All you need to do is sign up to the quarterly SustainNK e-newsletter which is jam-packed with ideas and initiatives for saving energy, resources, time and money.

Email sustainNK@n-kesteven.gov.uk and we’ll put you into the competition.

Closing date is Sunday, April 22, so that the winner can receive their kit in time for International Composting Week, starting on May 6.

The competition is open to North Kesteven residents only.

The newsletter can be posted to those without email addresses. In this case call on 01529 414155 to give us your details.

Newsnk is hand delivered by almost 30 District residents over a period of two weeks each quarter.

In order to speed up distribution to almost 50,000 homes and businesses, why not join the team?

It’s an ideal job for the retired, part time or unemployed. You would get out and about, driving and walking across the District’s 365 square miles, earning regular income paid at a variable rate of £60 or more per 1,000 copies delivered.

Each agent would deliver at least 2-3,000 copies four times a year with potential for extra work on top.

If you are interested, have use of a car and phone, call the newsnk delivery company PDC on 0800 0831134 and quote Ref 567.

News Focus

Healthy walking every day of the week If you’re struggling to find the time for the 30 minutes recommended moderate daily exercise, why not join the NK Social strollers on one of their weekly health walks?

There are now 14 NK health walks which are free, last 45 minutes to an hour and get you out and about in the beautiful NK outdoors.

Two more walks have been added in Heckington and North Hykeham which means that there is now something for everyone, every day of the week including Sunday. The Social Strollers programme operates in association with NHS Lincolnshire, the Ramblers and Macmillan. > Monday: Billinghay, Children’s Centre at 10am > Monday VIPs (visually impaired walkers – bi-weekly): Whisby, Natural World Centre – 8 & 22 April, 6 & 20 May and 3 & 17 June, 10.30am > Tuesday: Heckington, Sports Club at 10.30am > Tuesday: Leasingham, Village Hall at 11am > Tuesday: Sleaford, The National Centre for Craft & Design at 1.10pm > Wednesday: Navenby, Doctors Surgery, 10am > Wednesday: Ruskington, All Saints Church (beginners) at 10am > Wednesday: Whisby, Natural World Centre at 11.30am > Wednesday: Ruskington, All Saints Church at 11.30am > Thursday: Waddington, Doctors Surgery, 10am > Thursday: Skellingthorpe, Community Centre at 11am > Friday: Metheringham, Library at 11am > Saturday, Millennium Green, North Hykeham, meeting at NK Sports Centre, 10am > Sunday (first Sunday of each month): Scopwick, Village Hall at 9.30am All NK health walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer health walk leader, want to set up a walk in your local area, or would like further information call scheme co-ordinator Carly Togher on 01522 870252 or nkhealthandsports@leisureconnection.co.uk

mynk

Juneta Wilson 32 years as Billinghay Parish Councillor and 17 years as class teacher and acting head at Dunston Primary School

What does North Kesteven mean to you?

The ever-changing picture of the big skies. It’s also home. Whenever I’ve been away, as soon as I come through Anwick and see Billinghay Water Tower across the fields, I know What do you like most about where I’m home and I feel settled.

I love living here. you live?

Having been involved in village life as parish councillor, school governor Where would you advise people to visit in the District? and with my husband Barry who ran I always take people for a walk on village shops for 50 years, I’ve got a Billinghay Skirth and a drive through real sense of how people contribute to their community. Billinghay is really the fens to appreciate the big skies. very special in that it’s the people who They love the long straight roads we have out here, at Martin, Anwick and make the place. There’s a history of isolation out here going back to when what have you.

Scopwick too, it’s so pretty. we were an island and that spirit of independence and self-reliance lives on; that’s seen in the way we run the What NKDC service do you appreciate most? swimming pool which was dug out I know we’re not alone but NK by just a few villagers 40 years ago. has always been so good to us; it I also like the way the new people supports Billinghay well and involves have got involved in the community us in so many projects. We’ve alongside the established families.

Where do you live?

Apart from a short time in Dunston and a break back to Coventry, I’ve been in Billinghay since 1966. In 1969 Lincolnshire drew me back and I’ve been here ever since.

pioneered Neighbourhood Plans and have really enjoyed the opportunities offered by artsNK. The mosaic we made on village history still brings a lump to my throat every time I see it, it’s so magnificent.

Inspiring District health & wellbeing Fined for mass mouse infestation

Helpful ratings

The District Council has an important role to play in promoting residents’ health and wellbeing.

It does this through many ways, principally the provision of leisure services, anti-social behaviour enforcement and approval of positively-focused planning applications. There are also services which support the vulnerable including many housing initiatives and waste collection.

To make sure we have a clear

Whether you want to dine out or bring a take-away home, the last thing you want is to get more than you bargained for, such as a food poisoning.

With so many tempting offers from restaurants and take-aways, you’re always well advised to do as much research as possible.

This research should include checking the hygiene rating of the food premises you’re considering, which really couldn’t be easier.

Every food outlet has a rating for its compliance with food hygiene laws.

These range from 0 to 5, giving a clear, concise, consistent and fail-safe assessment of food safety – but are not a guide to actual food quality.

Three quarters of the premises assessed by NKDC’s environmental health officers in the District score ratings of 4 or 5 – more than half score a 5, achieved by nothing more complex than compliance with the law.

NKDC’s Principal Environmental Health Officer John Gibson said diners could easily check a restaurant, pub, take-away or shop’s rating online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings where a smartphone app can be downloaded to aid decisions taken on the hoof.

Ratings are often in the window of premises as businesses are encouraged to display their scores.

And the key ratings were in the last newsnk, but it’s always good to check online in case they’ve been revised.

“With so many places to eat, ultimately we want to enable consumers to make better eating out choices, with more ease,” he said.

understanding of what the areas of concern are for the District, a Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been prepared and we would like your opinion on it.

To view the strategy please go to the NKDC website at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk and follow the link to Inspiring Health & Wellbeing.

To request a hard copy, email partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk or call 01529 414155 and ask to speak to the Partnerships Team.

Invigorate, revive and refresh yourself Spring is such a great time to Revive, Refresh and Invigorate yourself.

To help you along that path a free event day is being held at Whisby Natural World Centre and Nature Park on Sunday, May 12, 10.30am to 3.30pm.

It’s a perfect guide to healthy living if you’re trying to maintain your health and fitness, looking to make a fresh start for summer or just seeking some motivation to get back on top of your wellbeing.

With various local health schemes and projects showcasing what they do, practical sessions and the great outdoors to explore, this really is the place to get invigorated, revived and refreshed.

Broadband delivery mapped out Around about now, the plan for rolling out improved broadband across the county will be mapped out.

During the past few months, progress has been made in selecting the company to work with the OnLincolnshire partnership of county and district councils to improve broadband in Lincolnshire.

By the end of March the group was hoping to be able to share its plans for when, where and how quickly the improvements will happen. You’ll

be able to see this by typing your postcode into www.onlincolnshire.org Thousands of people have backed the campaign for better services and registration is now closed.

You can also sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter to keep fully upto-speed with the latest news.

The aim is to reach 90% of Lincolnshire with faster broadband by 2015, with the rest getting at least a standard service, which in many parts of the District will be better than now.

An Indian restaurant and take-away branded by a judge as a serious health risk to customers was fined £1,000 for failing to deal with a significant mouse infestation.

The total penalty awarded against Abdul Samad, operator of The Sarga in Newark Road, North Hykeham, was £3,015. This includes the £1,000 fine for the mouse infestation offence, £250 for a health and safety offence, £1,750 to pay North Kesteven District Council’s costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

NKDC brought the prosecution against Mr Samad as part of its clampdown on food hygiene standards to ensure a high level of public health and confidence when eating out or buying takeaways.

Mr Samad pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates Court in January to 14 food hygiene offences and one relating to a health and safety failure dating back to an inspection by NKDC Environmental Health Officers in October 2012.

The charges related to a substantial mouse infestation with food items gnawed and others heavily contaminated with droppings and a large hole in the floor giving the rodents access.

There were also problems with poor cleaning throughout, including mould growing on chopping boards and in the fridge and freezer, dirty equipment including an extremely dirty tandoori oven, fridge and blood splashed freezer, damaged tiling and flaking paintwork, a chicken defrosting in a bucket and a lack of hygiene training.

The health and safety charge

related to damaged gas pipes.

District Judge John Stobbard heard that since Mr Samad took over the business in 2005, there had been a history of non- compliance with food hygiene legislation, with food hygiene notices having been served on him previously.

He said the offences were of a very serious nature, exposing the public who ate at the premises to a significant health risk. However he accepted Mr Samad’s full compliance with improvement notices and guilty plea in mitigation.

At the time of its last food hygiene standards inspection, The Sarga in North Hykeham scored a rating of only one against a standard where five is achieved simply by adhering to food safety legislation.

Cllr Richard Wright, NKDC’s Executive Board Member with responsibility for food hygiene, said: “It is essential that the public has confidence in the quality of all food premises across the District, which is why we are so rigorous in carrying out our inspections.

“We give all our traders continuous support and encouragement to help them improve their businesses and maintain standards, but at the same time we do not hesitate to take enforcement action where circumstances warrant it, as in this case.” > After being subject to a court case costing the owner nearly £8,000, The Railway Inn at Thorpe on the Hill closed a year ago. It has since been taken over, re-opened and re-inspected to score a food hygiene rating of four.

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Our Communities What’s On

Springing forward with creative crafty flair

Monsters lurking in pianos and giant germs made of glass mark out this season’s creative happenings National Centre for Craft & Design Events and Workshops April 2, 1pm to 4pm Design and make your own sketchbook, notebook or diary and complete it with a customised fabric cover and fastening. £5 each. Ideal for 8+ and families.

Main Gallery Continuing to April 14 Luke Jerram, Revealing the Invisible Viruses are transformed into visually captivating works as Luke Jerram brings together work from three of his major series.

See selections from his collections of Glass Microbiology, Radiometer Chandeliers (above) and Rotated Data Sculptures which are epic in scale and explore viruses and bacteria at the root of the most dangerous diseases such as HIV, H1N1 and SARS. Statistics are translated into three dimensional objects, microscopic viruses magnified in glass and chandeliers that reveal the invisible power and beauty of light.

April 27 to June 30 Beauty is the First Test This exhibition explores how mathematical concepts underpin craft techniques and artistic development. Demystifying a subject that can intimidate both adults and children and drawing together unique and stimulating arts to give contemporary craft practice a wider context.

Beauty and playfulness illustrate what delights craftspeople and maths geeks alike! Exhibiting artists are a mix of emerging and established talent of national and international importance.

Continuing to June 2 Synchronise Craft Collaborations More than 20 Design Factory members collaborate to create new work, stimulating exciting developments in the makers’ creative practices and encouraging skill-sharing that bring ceramics together with textiles and combine jewellery with furniture.

July 20 to September 29 Growing Celebrating the Centre’s first decade and looking to the future, complemented with a host of exciting activities and events.

Terry O’Toole Theatre Sunday, April 7, 7pm TOTT Readers The first Bond novel, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming; complementing the Lincoln Inspired Festival (7-12 May).

Free.

Thursday, April 18, 7.30pm Zoe Rahman 2012 Mobo award winner Zoe Rahman brings us her unique mix of contemporary jazz flavoured with Bengali roots.

An immensely gifted pianist, as splendid to watch as she is to listen to! Book early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets: £12, £10 & £5

April 6, 10am to 4pm Phil Bowman leads a series of life drawing classes this season, with some materials available for use. Also on May 4.

April 9, 1pm to 4pm Learn how to cut a printing block to design and print your own set of cards or wrapping paper. £5 each, ideal for 8+ and families.

April 10, 1pm to 3pm Creative workshops starting with a story and ending with something to take home. £5 each, ideal for ages 4-10 and families. Also on May 30.

April 11, 10am to 5pm If you are a maker or artist with an idea to share, the NCCD’s curatorial team can advise you on exhibition practice. Book a 30 minute one-to-one guidance

April 13, 10am to 4pm A one-day event celebrating the importance of collaboration within contemporary craft and design practice.

Demonstrations, creative workshops, inspiring stories, meet the makers behind the unique designs in the Roof Gallery and gets hands on in the creation of kinetic photo sculptures for display in Sleaford later this year.

Prices vary per activity. All welcome.

April 24, 10.30am to noon Messy and creative fun for children and their carers. £3.50 per child, 2-5 years. Also on May 22.

April 27 & 28, 10am to 4pm Work alongside Michael Brennand-Woodinternationally regarded as an innovative worker in mixed media textiles.

Share and investigate his thought processes and techniques. Bring any object, image, idea or theme that you wish to deconstruct and interpret. £125 / £110 each.

May 3, 7pm to 9.30pm Another PechaKucha evening as artists and creatives showcase their passions, projects, ideas and eccentricities. £8 each, Including wine, tapas and live music.

May 4, 10am to 4pm Life drawing. See April 6.

May 18, 10am to 4pm Textile specialist Emma Ronald gives a one-day creative workshop exploring the ancient art of indigo dyeing, (pictured above). This is one of the oldest and still most widely used dyes. Produce a scarf length of patterned and dyed cloth. £45 each.

May 28, 1pm to 4pm Learn how to make handmade papers from recycled materials, using stencils and biscuit cutters to create fantastic patterns. £8 each, Ideal for ages 6+ and families.

Regular events First Tuesday monthly Hub Writers at NCCD with Unplugged.

Doors open ay 6.30pm, closes at 9pm.

The café and workshop are brought to life for an evening of creativity, music, performance, poetry and drama. Free. All welcome.

Every Thursday, 4pm to 6pm The NCCD Youth Forum, a group of young people aged 12-25 exploring craft and design in artist-led workshops. #NCCDYF Email learning@ nationalcraftanddesign.org. uk or turn up. www.facebook. com/NCCDYouthForum Every Friday and Saturday, noon Thirty minute gallery walk and talk. Free. All welcome.

April 13 & May 18, 1pm to 4pm Meet the artists and makers behind some of the popular shop creations.

May 22, 10.30am to noon Messy and creative fun for children and their carers. £3.50 per child, 2-5 years.

Printmaking Interested in printmaking?

Join a group being set up to access the press, specialist materials and tutoring. Details at learning@ nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

May 30, 1pm to 3pm Creative workshops starting with a story and ending with something to take home. £5 each, ideal for ages 4-10 and families.

The National Centre for Craft & Design is home to the very best designer/makers. Shop, cafe and galleries are open every day, 10am to 5pm.

Free entry

North Kesteven Centre, North Hykeham. Booking on 01522 870251 or www.terryotooletheatre.org.uk

Saturday, April 20, 3pm Lempen Puppets Delightful puppetry, masks, storytelling and animation, make The Fishermen & The Pearl a heartwarming, original story. Tickets: £5, £18 for a family.

Sunday, May 5, 7pm TOTT Readers This month’s book choice is Skellig by David Almond, an award-winning children’s novel published 15 years ago. Free.

Friday, May 10, 7pm & Saturday 11, 2.30pm & 7pm Tom’s Midnight Garden

14 newsnk Spring 2013

April 5 and every Friday to May 10, 10am to 1pm A weekly sewing club, learning how to make, alter and mend in these six quick and simple sessions. Experienced sewers invited to share tips and advice.

Cost £4 per session, £20 for all six. For ages 16+.

session with a member of the team.

A delightful family theatre production from resident company, ACTion Community Theatre. Tickets: £7, £5 & £22 for a family of four.

Friday, May 17, 7.30pm Jazz Vehicle An impressive band composed of talented musicians from NK School, other local schools and colleges in the area. Tickets: £7.50 & £5.

Saturday, May 18, 3pm There’s A Monster in My Piano An offbeat, jazzy tale to delight children and adults alike, starring puppets, clowning,

animation and an incredibly highly-strung monster. (pictured). Tickets: £5, £18 for a family of four.

Wednesday, May 22, 6pm & 7pm Summer Primary Dance Showcase North Kesteven School and NKDC’s artsNK have worked with local primary schools over six weeks to create dance pieces on themes surrounding transition to secondary school.

Also featuring performance by talented students from Key Stages 3, 4 & 5 at NK School.

Tickets: £3 & £2.

Sunday, June 2, 7pm TOTT Readers The Secret Life of Bletchley Park by Sinclair McKay details the history of the wartime code-breaking centre by the men and women who were there. Free.

Friday, June 28, 7.30pm Solidarity A culmination of dance pieces from a 10 week programme in local secondary schools. Year 9 and 10 students from each school compete for various awards. Tickets: £3.

What’s On

Step out on Easter hunt to discover treasured lakeside walk If you’ve not yet discovered North Hykeham’s Millennium Green, there’s an event in the Easter holidays which is a great opportunity to step out Millennium Green is a community open space to the core, set up and managed by a local group of trustees and volunteers who for more than a decade from its 2000 opening worked tirelessly to make it attractive and enjoyable.

They built an all-ability easy walking mile-long path around a gravel pit lake which teams with birdlife and planted native species to encourage the wildlife.

Situated behind Newark Road and Station Road it is something of a hidden gem, but those in the know greatly appreciate it, with access from the Memorial Hall car park via a short walk across the playing field.

In 2011 the Green passed into the care of NKDC which continues to develop and improve the area for the enjoyment of all.

Under the care of WatchNK, the

Council’s countryside rangers, work is continuing to create a space for the enjoyment of all whilst creating a haven for wildlife and wildflowers.

If you would like to help this important habitat and its wildlife, WatchNK works with a team of volunteers who meet every Thursday morning to carry out conservation tasks around the Green.

To find out more and join in, contact Hill Holt Wood on 01636 892836 or email admin@hillholtwood.com In order to explore Millennium Green, why not join CountrysideNK on a treasure hunt around the lake on Friday 5 April.

It will be an ideal family activity during the Easter holidays. Details and booking on 01522 688868 or email whisby@leisureconnection.co.uk Dogs are welcome on Millennium Green, but please keep them on a

Whisby Nature Park & Natural World Centre Photo competition Make a date while you’re out and about at Whisby this spring to capture a winning image worthy of a calendar.

You can submit a photograph taken at the nature park to be judged as one of the 13 best images for inclusion in the 2014 Natural World Centre Calendar.

There are two age categories, under 16s and 16 and over.

Entries accepted from April 15.

They must be A4 and framed for display and in electronic format too.

Free entry, one per person, details on 01522 688868 or email whisby@leisureconnection.co.uk All entries exhibited in the centre, May 25 to July 14.

Nominate a favourite image at the exhibition or on the centre’s Facebook page. Winners will get a prize from sponsors Kodak Express.

CountrysideNK All of these walks are free and need to be booked. Details, including times and location on 01522 688868 or www.countrysidenk.co.uk Friday, April 5 Millennium Green, North Hykeham.

Sunday, April 28 Skellingthorpe woodland walk for dogs, to enjoy spring flowers.

Sunday, May 26 Five mile walk at High Wood, North Rauceby with dogs.

Friday, May 31 Pond dipping at Lollycocks Field in Sleaford with a WatchNK Ranger.

Sunday, June 30 Four mile walk with dogs through open countryside at Nocton.

lead, except in the designated ‘off lead’ area. Dog bins are also available and it would improve the enjoyment of all users if owners clear up after their dogs.

There’s also a free weekend walk at Millennium Green as part of the NK Social Strollers programme, meeting at NK Sports Centre, 10am on Saturdays. More dates on page 13.

Thorpe on the Hill, 01522 688868 www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk

Nature World Centre Exhibitions March 28 to May 19 An exhibition of traditional and contemporary art and crafts created using recycled waste materials. Work on display and sale to inspire you to transform and evolve your own rubbish May 25 to July 14 Fourth annual Photographic Competition. Capture a scene on a walk around Whisby. All entries will be on display in the Upper Gallery May 25 to July 14, winners will feature in the 2014 calendar and receive a prize.

Entries accepted April 25 to May 18.

Events, ideal for children aged 4+ £2.50 each Monday April 1, 10.30am Revive a tired old T-shirt it into a must have fashion item with paints, markers and anything else you can find!

Wednesday, April 3, 10.30am Make a musical instrument using recycled items and then create some rapping, recycling, rhythms in our own musical jamboree!

Monday, April 8, 10.30am Use sweet papers and glass paints to transform an old jam jar into a tealight holder, pen pot or vase.

Wednesday, April 10, 10.30am Decorate a pot ready to plant with seed and then watch it grow.

Monday, May 27, 10.30am Use special paper which prints in sunlight, to create photographic artwork using, leaves, flowers and hands.

Wednesday, May 29, 10.30am Make a frame using twigs and raffia – maybe to frame your sunprint from Monday.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance, 01522 688868, whisby@leisureconnection.co.uk

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust activities at Whisby Nature Park As well as the attractions of the visitor centre, cafe, shop and circular walks at Whisby Nature Park, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust also runs events.

Details and booking on 01522 696926 Wednesday, April 3, 10am – 11am. Nature Tots: Fairy Stories for the Under 5s. £2. Book.

2pm – 3.30pm. Afternoon walk hunting down Harbingers of Spring. 1.5 miles, suitable for families. £1.50 each. Book.

Saturday, April 6, 10am – 1pm Junior Wardens: Learning more about mammals, for 10-16 years. £2 each.

Sunday, April 14, 10.30am – 12.30pm Guided 1.5 mile walk experiencing the park’s birds, invertebrates and plants.

Suitable for families. £1.50 each.

Thursday, April 18, 7.30pm Illustrated talk on the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project.

Sunday, April 28, 10.30am – 12.30pm Off the path survey walk to assess the range of species within a chosen area, suitable for budding naturalists. Free.

Wednesday, May 1, 10am – 11am

Nature Tots: Celebrate May Day with festive games. For under 5s. £2. Book.

Saturday, May 4, 10am – 1pm Junior Wardens: Be Nice to Nettles in Tunman Wood, learning how they are good for string, soup and natural dyes.

For 10-16 years. £2 each.

Sunday, May 5, 6am Morning Chorus nightingale and songbird walk, 1.5 miles. £2 each. Book Monday, May 6, 8pm Evening nightingale walk, as above.

Wednesday, May 8, 2pm – 3.30pm Afternoon walk, as May 6.

Sunday, May 12, 10am – 3pm Wildplay for parents to learn skills for exploring the great outdoors with children. More on July 7. £25. Book.

Sunday, May 12, 10.30am Guided Morning Walk of 1.5 miles to experience the reserve’s birds, invertebrates and plants.

Suitable for families. £1.50 each.

Saturday, May 25 – August 31, 10am – 4pm I-Spy Summer Trail leading you around the nature park to discover nature.

Self-guided with adult supervision. £2.50 per trail. Prizes awarded.

Sunday, May 26, 10.30am – 12.30pm As April 28.

Tuesday, May 28 – 10am – 2pm Big Pond Dip to discover what is below the surface of Thorpe Lake. Free.

Saturday, June 1, 10am – 1pm Junior Wardens: Coastal Visit for 10-16 years. Call for details. £2.

Wednesday, June 5, 10am – 1pm Nature Tots: Venture outside to see what nature holds. Under 5s. £2. Book.

Saturday, June 8, 10am – 4pm Green woodworking to develop skills with pole and lathe and shave horse with local green wood worker Al Capel.

Over 16s. £50 each.

Sunday, June 9, 10.30am As April 14.

Thursday, June 13, 2pm – 3.30pm Afternoon walk of 1.5 miles to discover Whisby’s orchids and wild flowers.

Suitable for families. £1.50 each.

Sunday, June 23, 10.30am – 12.30pm As April 28.

Information and booking on 01522 688868 or email whisby@leisureconnection.co.uk Full list at www.lincstrust.org.uk/events

Visitor attractions receive more roses On March 16 & 17 the Council’s four retained tourism sites are all taking part in the Discover Lincolnshire Weekend offering free entry and incentives to visitors.

At Mrs Smith’s Cottage, Navenby, discover the fascinating home, artefacts and information relating the life and times of Mrs Smith. Free entry, 1pm to 4pm both days.

At Navigation House, Sleaford, every child gets a free pen or pencil and every visitor is entered into a draw for a produce hamper. Free entry, 11am to 4pm, Sunday 17.

At Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre, there is a free tea, coffee or squash for every visitor. Discover RAF Cranwell’s history. Free entry, 10am to 3pm, Sunday 17.

At Cogglesford Mill, Sleaford, each visiting family can get a free 500g bag of wholemeal flour by mentioning Discover Lincolnshire Weekend. Free entry, 11am to 4pm, Sunday 17.

Cogglesford Watermill Sunday, March 31, 11am to 4pm.

Easter activities to see the mill in action. Free admission.

Sunday, April 14, 11am to 4pm.

See the mill in action producing it’s own organic wholemeal flour. Free admission.

Sunday, May 12, as April 14.

Sunday June 9, 11am to 4pm.

See the mill in action to show the history of local waterways. Exhibitions, activities and displays. Free admission.

Cogglesford Watermill, East Road, Sleaford, NG34 7EQ 01529 413671 or 01529 308102

Mrs Smith’s Cottage Sundays, March 24 & 31 and April 6 & 7, 1pm to 4pm.

Children can join an Easter egg hunt around the cottage. £1 per child.

Museum Office on 01522 811469 or NKDC tourism on 01529 308102 www.mrssmithscottage.co.uk, email denise_spearman@n-kesteven.gov.uk Mrs Smith’s Cottage, East Road, Navenby, LN5 0EP 01522 811469 or 07887 928733

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre Sunday, July 14, 11am to 4pm.

Summer Festival with displays, exhibits, activities for adults and refreshments. Something for all. Free admission.

Heath Farm, North Rauceby, Sleaford, NG34 8QR 01529 488490 or 01529 308102

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